Seahawks staying out of Patriots’ “Deflategate” controversy

RENTON – The story that everyone seems to be fixated upon isn’t much of a story if you ask the Seahawks.

That much has been clear over the past two days as they’ve been asked all sorts of questions about the controversy involving their Super Bowl opponents, the Patriots, and to a man have shared one of a few different responses. They either don’t know much about it, don’t really care about it and/or don’t wish to express any opinion on it.

“This is just so funny because we’re really talking about footballs,” wide receiver Jermaine Kearse said before seemingly channeling former NBA star Allen Iverson. “We’re not talking about the game. We’re talking about footballs. Not the game, but the balls.”

The particulars of “Deflategate”, as it’s been unimaginatively dubbed: the Patriots reportedly used under-inflated footballs during their win over Indianapolis in the AFC title game, a claim the league has been investigating as it could conceivably provide a competitive advantage and would therefore constitute cheating.

Your take on the matter, Russell Wilson?

“I don’t know anything about that,” Seattle’s quarterback said. “I honestly don’t. It’s not really much I can comment on that. Obviously they’re a great team. I don’t think that is an issue, probably, but I have no idea.”

OK, do you have any preference as to the degree to which your footballs are inflated?

“Just as long as they have laces,” Wilson said. “As long as the football has laces, I’m good to go.”

Linebacker Bobby Wagner was asked how his opinion of the Patriots has changed over the last few days, a leading question if there ever was one.

“It hasn’t changed,” he said. “They are what they are. We focus on us. They do what they do. They’re winners. They’ve done this for a long time. I’ve watched them growing up – winning – and I have respect for them.”

Defensive lineman Michael Bennett was asked the same thing.

“My opinion is the same,” he said. “Bill Belichick is one of the greatest coaches to ever step foot in a building and Tom Brady is one of the best quarterbacks to ever play football and the Patriots are one of the best teams ever to exist in this football league. They have a great team. Robert Kraft is a great, great owner. So they have a great team. My opinion of them hasn’t changed at all. It’s still about playing the game. Whatever happened happened. It’s something somebody else is looking for to find their excuse why the other team lost the game, but that’s just how it is.”