Deflate-gate Update: Coach Blames ‘Climatic Conditions,’ Brady Cites ‘Hurt Feelings’

New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick continued to deny any involvement with the deflated balls that were used in the AFC Championship game, stating that the team "followed the rules to the letter."

He added, "At no time was there any intent whatsoever to try to compromise the integrity of the game or to gain an advantage."

With no explanation as to how 11 of the 12 game balls used by the Patriots in the first half of the game became deflated, Belichick offered his own reasoning, citing "climatic conditions."

Quarterback Tom Brady has also denied tampering with the footballs. Brady added Monday morning on the WEEI's "Dennis & Callahan" radio program that his "feelings got hurt" in the midst of this investigation. Brady picked the 24 game balls.

"I personalized a lot of things and thought this was all about me and my feelings got hurt, and then I moved past it because it's not serving me," Brady said. "I think what's serving me is to try to prepare for the game ahead, and I'll deal with whatever happens later. I'll have my opportunity to try to figure out what happened and figure out a theory like everyone else is trying to do. But this isn't the time for that, and honestly I'm not interested in trying to find out right now because we have the biggest game of our season ahead."

The NFL confirmed the investigation the Monday after the Patriots secured a spot in the Super Bowl by defeating the Indianapolis Colts 45-7. According to the league, the majority of the balls used during the first half were under inflated. The game balls used during the second half were properly inflated and remained that way for the rest of the game.

The league, which has conducted about 40 interviews, has not been able to determine why and how the footballs became deflated. Game balls are supposed to be inflated to about 12.5 to 13.5 pounds per square inch and weigh 14 to 15 ounces. The investigation will continue ahead of the upcoming Super Bowl.

"The goals of the investigation will be to determine the explanation for why footballs used in the game were not in compliance with the playing rules and specifically whether any noncompliance was the result of deliberate action. We have not made any judgments on these points and will not do so until we have concluded our investigation and considered all of the relevant evidence," the league stated. "Patriots personnel, game officials, and third parties with relevant information and expertise."

The Patriots will take on defending champions, the Seattle Seahawks, in Super Bowl XLIX this Sunday in Arizona.