New England Patriots’ Deflategate Culprit Jim McNally was always ‘Suspicious,’ Ex-Ref Said

The "Deflategate" scandal continues to make headlines.

Shortly after the NFL announced that they have reinstated Jim McNally and John Jastremski, the two guys who were found responsible for tampering with the New England Patriots' footballs during the AFC championship game against the Indianapolis Colts, an ex-referee has spoken out about McNally.

According to Mark Baltz, who worked in the league for more than two decades, McNally, who referred to himself as the "Deflator," was always a "suspicious" guy. Baltz told WTHR's Bob Kravitz, the reporter who broke the story first back in January that before deflategate, McNally had a history of requesting for footballs earlier than he was supposed to.

"If he [McNally] could get them 10 or 15 minutes before he was supposed to get them, instead of the usual two minutes before the game - and there were some crews that let him do that - he would do it," Baltz said. "I wouldn't let him take them early, and I think he eventually figured that out because he stopped asking after a while. I probably did 10 to 15 games up there (in Foxborough) and those first few times, he'd always ask. I always thought it was very suspicious. He certainly acted in a suspicious manner.''

Baltz also detailed McNally's odd behavior with the team.

"For an officials' locker room attendant, I always thought he was an unusual dude,'' Baltz said. "Most locker room guys, they sit there and if you need something, they got it for you...But McNally, he was running all around like a chicken with his head cut off. Asking for the balls early. What I specifically reported him for several years ago, and I thought this was really unusual, he'd run out on the field with the footballs before the game and the next thing you know, he's playing pitch-and-catch with (Tom) Brady. Then, next thing, he's on the sidelines right next to (Bill) Belichick, like he's a (bleeping) assistant coach or something."

Baltz stated that he did report McNally's behavior to the NFL roughly six to eight years ago - he could not remember exactly when. He claimed that league officials never responded.

The NFL and the Patriots have not responded to Baltz's latest statements.

For the deflategate scandal, the Patriots were fined $1 million and docked two future draft picks. Quarterback Brady was suspended for four-games. Brady fought the suspension and got it overturned by a federal judge. The league has since appealed that ruling.

McNally and Jastremski reportedly will continue to work for the Patriots. They will, however, not be allowed to handle footballs.