Shane Vereen touched the football more than any other New England Patriot not named Tom Brady in 2014, yet he never suspected any foul play when it came to air pressure.
Vereen told the New York Daily News on Wednesday he had no knowledge of the Patriots’ involvement in Deflategate. And unlike another player who moved to New York this offseason, the running back had only kind words for his former team and quarterback after signing a three-year, $12.35 million contract with the Giants.
“I had no awareness of anything that was going on,” Vereen said. “I looked up to Tom. I still do. I think he’s a great player. I have the utmost respect for him as a player and as a person. I guess everything will sort itself out.”
The former Patriot also told the Daily News that he couldn’t tell the difference between footballs of different air pressures and the fact that New England “suspiciously” fumbled less than any other team last season was just “a product of us and our hard work.”
As for Brady, Vereen doesn’t think the quarterback’s four-game suspension takes away from everything he’s achieved.
“Personally, I don’t think it hurts his legacy at all,” Vereen told the Daily News. “Regardless of the outcome, he’s still a fantastic, great quarterback. He deserves the accolades that he’s earned. We’ll see how it all plays out. There is a long way to go with the whole situation.”
Thumbnail photo via Andrew Weber/USA TODAY Sports Images
