National Football League

Browns' Pettine says he'll lose respect for Tom Brady if proven guilty

Published May. 8, 2015 3:27 p.m. ET

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If Tom Brady really did play a role in Deflategate, Cleveland Browns coach Mike Pettine thinks the Patriots quarterback will have tarnished his legacy.

Pettine considers Brady one of the game's greatest, but his tolerance for cheaters isn't too high.

"I know what was put out there, but he's one of the best ever and it would be a shame to tarnish that," Pettine told the Cleveland Plain Dealer. "We'll see how it plays out. I've always had a lot of respect for him, but also I lose a lot of respect for people who cheat."

Pettine acknowledged that an underinflated ball is easier to throw and catch, and also harder to fumble, leaving him to wonder if his 2-8 career record as an assistant against Brady might be a little better.

"I think it's more probable than not that it happened, but there's no smoking gun or anything like that,'' Pettine said, borrowing a phrase from the Wells report.

Does he expect Brady to get suspended? "That's why the Commissioner makes a lot of money. He'll get that one figured out."

h/t: Plain Dealer