Don O’Neill defends Tom Brady, calls ‘Deflategate’ a ‘smoke screen’
May 11, 2015, 5:43 PM | Updated: May 12, 2015, 5:58 am
The penalty against the New England Patriots and its quarterback Tom Brady for deflated footballs is an overreaction, KIRO Radio's Don O'Neill said Monday. (AP)
(AP)
The penalty against the New England Patriots and its quarterback Tom Brady for deflated footballs is an overreaction, KIRO Radio’s Don O’Neill said Monday.
The number of players taking human growth hormone is more concerning, he told KIRO Radio’s Ron Upshaw.
“This to me is a smokescreen by the National Football League,” Don said. “They need to be much more concerned about HGH and concussions than deflated footballs.”
But there was some disagreement in the studio. Ron believes the penalty is an under-reaction.
“It’s cheating with the intent of effecting the outcome of the game,” he added.
The league suspended the Super Bowl MVP Monday for the first four games of the season, fined the New England Patriots $1 million, and took away two draft picks as punishment for deflating footballs used in the AFC title game.
Four games is not enough, Ron said. There have been football players, even some Seahawks, suspended four games for taking Adderall. Players have been suspended four games for smoking marijuana as well. Though Adderall could be argued as a performance enhancer, marijuana is not, Ron argued.
“If you’re going to dole out four games for a marijuana infraction, which has no impact and maybe a negative impact on the game … And then a situation like this — cheating with the intent of getting an edge — how can that also be four games?” Ron asked.
Brady did what every kicker, punter or quarterback has done in the past; he was just playing with the footballs he was comfortable with, Don said.
It comes down to “plausible deniability,” he added.
Brady’s involvement is like a crime that happens with aggravating circumstances, Ron said.
“I can’t believe I’m sticking up for Tom Brady,” Don admitted.
“Next thing you know, you will be sticking up for Colin Kaepernick,” Ron countered.
Brady said he plans to appeal. If he doesn’t, he will miss the season’s showcase kickoff game on Sept. 10 against Pittsburgh, then Week 2 at Buffalo, a home game against Jacksonville and a game at Dallas. He will return the week of a Patriots-Colts AFC championship rematch in Indianapolis.
