Will Deflategate Deflate Tom Brady?

He will survive: Tom Brady’s reputation will endure despite Deflategate, SED’s Adam Naylor predicts. Photo courtesy of Flickr contributor Keith Allison

For all of his on-field flamboyance, Tom Brady was all restraint Thursday when asked about a report finding that his New England Patriots probably used impermissibly deflated footballs—and that Brady probably was in on the gambit.

Speaking at Salem State University, the Pats quarterback declined to comment on the report, saying he hadn’t had time to reflect on it and promising that he would speak out “hopefully soon.” The investigation, led by respected trial attorney Theodore V. Wells, Jr., found evidence that two Patriots’ employees tampered with balls just before January’s American Football Conference championship game. The Pats won that game and went on to win the Super Bowl. On Thursday, Brady would say only that the team’s championship this year remains untainted by the scandal.

Eight years ago, the team and Coach Bill Belichick (Hon.’04) were fined for illegally filming signals from opposing team coaches.

BU Today talked about the report and its fallout with Adam Naylor (SED’97,’01), a School of Education clinical assistant professor of counseling psychology, human development, and sports psychology. Naylor spent more than a decade educating and coaching Olympians and athletes at the college, major league, and minor league levels.

BU Today: Are you surprised by the finding that the deflation was deliberate, and that Tom Brady knew of it?

Naylor: I am not terribly surprised. A term often used regarding character decisions in sport is “bracketed morality,” where everyday ethical behaviors are suspended on the playing field, in essence because it is considered “not real life.” Professional sports certainly push boundaries for competitive advantages as far as possible.

As for Tom Brady knowing of it, I am surprised about the seeming extent of his knowledge that was revealed. Football pressure seems too trivial to spend so much thought and time on. I would have hoped he had better things to focus so much effort on during the season.

You’ve predicted that Brady’s reputation would survive Deflategate. Given this report, do you still feel that way?

I suspect his reputation will remain unblemished in New England. Beyond these friendly boundaries, he will be reviled in the short term and respected in the long term. Few of our professional athletes are saints. If Tom Brady keeps on smiling and keeps his nose out of trouble, much will be forgotten. Halls of Fame are filled with scoundrels. I am not sure if Tom Brady has reached this level.

What would be appropriate penalties for the individuals involved? Should the team suffer any penalty?

I think any penalty that the NFL offices hand down is appropriate. Certainly it would appear that individuals have broken rules and misled the public. As for Coach Belichick and the wider team organization, I would not be surprised if a penalty was extended to these levels. Leaders can tacitly and overtly condone pushing the boundaries of fair play. Team cultures can encourage or discourage ethical behaviors. While individuals are responsible for their personal actions, one would be naive to think that competitive cultures are not influential in the decisions of individual athletes.

Does this indict the NFL for a win-at-all-costs mentality or was Deflategate a rogue effort that doesn’t bespeak widespread cheating?

I am not sure it is that black and white. Professional sports are high stakes competition and big business. Just as with Olympians, where the difference between a medalist and an also-ran is tremendously different personally and professionally, so is the difference between a respectable effort in the professional ranks and hoisting world championship trophies. The emotional investment and personal identity that is wrapped up with athletic excellence can be quite blinding.

Do you think teams in other pro sports could withstand similar scrutiny or does football’s status as the nation’s most popular sport encourage behavior like Deflategate?
History is riddled with athletes in various sports and around the world pushing the boundaries for competitive advantages. Corked bats, performance-enhancing drugs, pine tar, T-rides during the Marathon (Rosie Ruiz)—I do not believe this is unique to the NFL.

What reforms, if any, should the NFL institute?

I think all professional, and unfortunately, collegiate, sports organizations need to constantly be policing integrity of the game issues. The more character of play is genuinely valued, the fewer transgressions will occur.

Personally, I really hope the NFL turns greater attention toward minimizing domestic violence, protecting athletes from repeated head trauma, and ultimately, helping these young men who play such a brutal sport have the ability to thrive both financially and personally once their careers have ended.