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BEREA, Ohio — By competing against quarterback Tom Brady and the New England Patriots as the defensive coordinator for two AFC East Division teams — the New York Jets and Buffalo Bills — from 2009 through 2013, Cleveland Browns coach Mike Pettine gained a measure of respect for the four-time Super Bowl championship signal-caller.

However, after the Wells Report released details tying Brady to the “Deflate-gate” scandal that came to light the day after the Patriots won the AFC Championship Game against the Indianapolis Colts, Pettine was quick to point out that his respect is earned only by succeeding within the rules of the game.

“Nothing is surprising,” Pettine said. “I know what was put out there but he’s one of the best ever and it would be a shame to tarnish that and we’ll see how it plays out. I’ve always had respect for him, but also I lose a lot of respect for people who cheat.”

At halftime of the AFC Championship Game, which the Patriots won, 45-7, referees checked the Patriots’ game-used footballs, and found 11 of the 12 to be underinflated. The inflated weight of a football is supposed to be between 12.5 and 13.5 PSI (pounds per square inch).

According to the Wells Report, seven of the 11 footballs in question were between 1.0 and 2.0 PSI below the league-mandated minimum. Only one of the footballs measured was above the 12.0 PSI mark on just one of the measurements. The footballs were tested twice at halftime by different officials.

“I know it’s printed on the ball,” Pettine said of the proper weight range of every football. “I do know a slightly underinflated football is easier to throw, easier to catch and harder to fumble. I know that, but this is the first time of my career in the NFL that it has come up as an issue.

 

READ MORE: WKYC.com

Article Courtesy of WKYC Channel 3 News

Picture Courtesy of Getty Images

#Browns Head Coach Mike Pettine Slams #Patriots Quarterback Tom Brady  was originally published on wzakcleveland.com