The Ravens have repeatedly denied tipping off the Indianapolis Colts about problems with footballs in their divisional round loss to the New England Patriots, but a “Deflategate” document released on Tuesday suggests otherwise.
Included with a 457-page transcript of Tom Brady’s “Deflategate” appeal hearing released by the NFL Players Association on Tuesday, an email from Indianapolis equipment manager Sean Sullivan sent to Colts general manager Ryan Grigson indicated that Ravens special teams coordinator Jerry Rosburg called Indianapolis head coach Chuck Pagano to alert him of problems Baltimore had with the kicking balls in the 35-31 loss to the Patriots in the divisional round.
Here’s something new — confirmation that the #Ravens tipped off the #Colts pic.twitter.com/19rMJgl1xi
— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) August 4, 2015
Of course, many have speculated throughout the offseason that the Ravens communicated their concerns with Indianapolis, but the organization has repeatedly denied doing such a thing.
“We did not notice anything. We never had a ball that they were using on offense, so we don’t know anything about that in our game,” head coach John Harbaugh said in January. “We didn’t have a chance to handle any of their offensive footballs. As far as the kicking balls, it was 20 degrees outside. The balls were softer. Our guys told us during the game, and I just chalked that up to the fact that it was cold. Both teams were kicking the same kicking balls, so I didn’t really think anything of it during the game. Other than that, it’s not something that I’ve really given any thought to at all.”
In an interview before Super Bowl XLIX, Harbaugh also denied anyone in the organization tipping off Indianapolis before the AFC championship game.
