In the wake of what is being called “deflategate”, an NFL investigation is well underway and the only course of action that should be taken by the league is to bench Tom Brady for Super Bowl XLIX.

The NFL requires game used balls to be inflated to at least 12.5 PSI and a maximun inflation of 13.5 PSI. The Patriots were caught using 11.5 PSI balls during the first half of an eventual 45-7 win over the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC championship.

Many people would call for the Patriots to be punished in a way that won’t affect their chances on Super Bowl Sunday, but being repeat offenders of various NFL rules should have already landed New England on probation. Being on probation almost always earns you a more severe punishment than the first offense.

The Patriots committed their first offense in a 2007 violation of NFL rules, dubbed “spygate”, where the Patriots video taped New York Jets’ defensive coaches’ signals. Head coach Bill Belichick was fined the maximum amout of $500,000 and the New England Patriots were fined $200,000 and a loss of their first round draft pick.

While the majority of people are calling for fines and lost draft picks, I believe that New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is to blame. He stated 12.5 PSI was his ideal ball inflation, yet claimed he had no idea 11 out of the 12 game balls were under inflated for the entire first half. When listening to Tom Brady through the entire interview on ESPN I wanted to believe him, but sadly his story just didn’t add up. Quarterbacks know how they like their footballs to be in condition and inflated. Tom Brady knew and probably requested for those balls to be under-inflated so he could grip them and throw them better. Now Tom Brady must pay the price — sitting out of Super Bowl XLIX on February 1.