WIRED: NFL’s Story About Tom Brady Destroying Phone Makes ‘Zero Sense’

The NFL claims Tom Brady “destroyed” his phone in an attempt to suppress text messages that would have implicated him on Deflategate. But that’s a bunch of baloney, according to someone who seems to know a lot more about phone technology than NFL commissioner Roger Goodell or the New England Patriots quarterback.

In fact, the allegation is built on such a flawed premise that Wired’s Tim Montgomery doesn’t buy the NFL’s accusation at all.

“Just how easy is it to destroy your text messages?” Montgomery writes in an article titled “Even If Tom Brady Did Smash His Phone, It’d Make Zero Sense.” “In the eyes of the NFL, it’s as simple as destroying your cell phone. But as anyone who has ever had their phone stolen can tell you, that’s not even remotely true.”

Brady ditching his cell phone was a key piece of the NFL’s justification Tuesday for rejecting his appeal, although a deeper reading of the league’s ruling reveals he tried to track down his text message records — an offer the league declined. Brady also claims his lawyers made the league aware he was getting a new phone after his previous one broke, which wouldn’t be the best strategy if he were trying to hide something.

In his piece, Montgomery outlines all the ways the NFL could have procured the texts if they’d really wanted them. But the “destroyed” phone accusation played out well in headlines, he admits, even if it falls apart under any greater scrutiny.

“Of course, Brady already offered to help the league procure his messages directly from his contact’s phone — a fact the NFL admitted in a footnote in their latest decision,” Montgomery writes. “As much fun as we all had imagining Brady crushing his phone, turning the chassis to dust, it not only wasn’t true, it wouldn’t have worked.

“Sorry NFL, but if you thought that was enough to nail him, you might want to rethink your investigation tactics.”

Brady already had the full support of his teammates and Patriots owner Robert Kraft, but now he has at least one tech geek in his corner, too — and those are good guys to have on your side.

Thumbnail photo via Kyle Terada/USA TODAY Sports Images