Jason Kelce’s Deflategate Take Sparks Fierce Reactions from Former NFL Stars
The NFL’s history is littered with controversies that refuse to fade away, and the 2015 Deflategate scandal involving Tom Brady is no exception. Jason Kelce, the former Philadelphia Eagles center, recently stirred the pot by expressing his belief that Brady should not have been punished for the incident. This opinion did not sit well with some of his former colleagues in the NFL, leading to a fiery exchange of words.
In a candid discussion on the New Heights podcast, hosted by Jason and his brother Travis Kelce, Jason shared his thoughts on Deflategate. He argued that the four-game suspension handed to Brady was unjustified. This view, however, quickly drew criticism from other former NFL players, most notably Chris Simms, who did not hold back in his response.
Simms, a former quarterback and current analyst, alongside Mike Florio, dissected Kelce’s comments on their show, Pro Football Talk. Simms was particularly blunt, saying, “You don’t get to skirt the rules. I love the Kelces. I’ve known them for a long time. And I know that that is some of the dumbest sh*t I’ve ever heard from Kelce.” He continued to emphasize that Brady’s actions were indeed a violation of the NFL’s rules and that the punishment was deserved.
Jason Kelce defends Tom Brady over Deflategate in the best way possible
(Thank you @newheightshow @JasonKelce for this masterpiece 😂) pic.twitter.com/eV5V4sjPPN
— Sophie Weller (@sophieewellerr) May 24, 2024
Simms’s harsh critique was rooted in the belief that rules exist for a reason, and no player, no matter how legendary, should be above them. He accused Brady of making a “BS move” and defended the league’s decision to enforce the suspension.
Despite the controversy, Brady himself seems to have found a way to move past the scandal. Earlier this month, he participated in a highly publicized roast organized by Fox Sports, in collaboration with the Buccaneers and Netflix. The event featured a star-studded lineup, including Bill Belichick, Robert Kraft, Julian Edelman, Rob Gronkowski, and even Kim Kardashian.
Tom Brady busting out a #deflategate joke at #TheRoastofTomBrady. Retirement vibes are 100% IDGAF. #NFL pic.twitter.com/PEHsoVfH72
— Laura Bustamante (@LauraBusta) May 6, 2024
The night was filled with humorous jabs at Brady, but it was the former Patriots and Buccaneers quarterback who had the last laugh. As the roast drew to a close, Brady took the stage and directly addressed Deflategate. In a tongue-in-cheek manner, he looked for NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in the audience and quipped, “Remember Deflategate? The NFL spent 20 million dollars and found that it was ‘more probable than not’ that I was ‘generally aware’ that someone may have deflated my footballs.”
Brady’s candid humor didn’t stop there. He added, “You could’ve just given me the 20 million and I would’ve just told you I f*cking did it.” This line brought the house down, earning a standing ovation from the crowd. It was a moment that showcased Brady’s ability to poke fun at himself and his past controversies.
While Brady’s comments were delivered with a comedic flair, they leave lingering questions about the true nature of his involvement in Deflategate. Whether he was making a genuine confession or simply playing to the crowd remains unclear. What is evident, though, is that Brady has managed to turn a scandal into a source of humor and perhaps even redemption in the eyes of some fans.
Jason Kelce’s support for Brady adds another layer to the ongoing debate about the fairness of the punishment. Kelce’s perspective reflects a segment of the NFL community that believes Brady was wrongfully penalized. However, the sharp rebuttals from figures like Simms highlight the divisive nature of the scandal.
The discourse surrounding Deflategate is a testament to the lasting impact of the controversy on the NFL’s legacy. As players and analysts continue to debate, one thing is clear: the story of Deflategate is far from over, and its echoes will likely be heard for years to come.
