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Hall of Famer Charles Haley’s Criticism of Tom Brady Reopens Deflategate Debate

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By @neilstrebig

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2015 Hall Of Fame inductee Charles Haley recently criticized Super Bowl XLIX MVP Tom Brady, saying he had to “cheat” to get his rings. In an article released earlier today, Haley openly disparaged Brady. Brady recently tied Joe Montana, a former teammate of Haley’s, with four Super Bowl rings. Brady, Montana and Terry Bradshaw are the only quarterbacks to win four Super Bowls, but Haley is the only NFL player to have won five.

“Joe (Montana) didn’t have to cheat. I’ve lost all respect (for Brady). When your integrity is challenged in the game of football, to me, all his Super Bowls are tainted,” says Haley.

Haley’s comments align with many New England critics regarding their involvement with the Deflategate scandal. Regardless of Brady’s fourth championship, critics will still regard his rings with an acute level of doubt. Haley continues, “If the league doesn’t come down on this guy…Everybody is talking about it. Nobody believes it was by accident. It is what it is.”

The former defensive lineman makes a valid point. The largest talking point before Malcom Butler‘s interception, on the last play of the game sealing the New England Patriots‘ 28-24 victory over the Seattle Seahawks, was indeed Brady and Bill Belichick‘s involvement in Deflategate. Once the post-Super Bowl victory talk is finished, the media will shift focus back towards Deflategate.

Anytime a Hall of Famer criticizes a fellow player it warrants concern. Haley’s comments carry merit and they echo with what many experts have been saying. Regardless of personal opinions, no one can deny that Brady’s reputation is in question. Being a part of the Patriots organization and their lackluster reputation for bending the NFL rules does not help Brady’s case.

In addition, the simple notion that the scandal is still unresolved will continue to fuel the fire. A penalty still needs to be handed down, and considering the amount of  attention it has garnered from critics like Haley, the Deflategate story will soon retake the NFL spotlight.

“I’m not going to take away his Super Bowl ring away from him,” says Haley, “But it is sad that it has to be tainted like this now. Hopefully, they’ll come out and let us know what really happened; then all the mystery is gone.”

Ultimately, the cloud of doubt will forever follow Brady and Belichick, but for now they have secured a place in NFL history. They join Bradshaw and Chuck Noll as only the second QB-Coach combination to win four Super Bowl championships. As for Haley, his remarks will likely help refuel the Deflategate fire and the so-called witch-hunt for an appropriate punishment for Brady and the Patriots. Once a punishment is levied out by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, the Deflategate talk will hopefully be put to rest.

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