Leave it to Richard Sherman to say what many around NFL circles are thinking.
The Seattle Seahawks arrived in Phoenix on Sunday and made their first media appearance in advance of next weekend's Super Bowl XLIX against the New England Patriots.
While the Patriots are sure to continue to field questions about "Deflategate," Sherman - the Seahawks' All-Pro cornerback - took off the gloves when asked about the issue at the Seahawks hotel.
"Will they be punished? Probably not," Sherman told reporters to kick off Super Bowl week with the media, according to SI.com. "Not as long as (Patriots owner) Robert Kraft and Goodell are still taking pictures (together) at their respective homes. I think he was just at Kraft's house last week for the AFC Championship. Talk about conflict of interest. You know, as long as that happens, it won't affect them at all. Nothing will."
Asked whether he thinks the Patriots should receive the benefit of the doubt over the incident, he talked about not having a comment - after commenting on the situation.
"I think the perception is the reality," Sherman said. "It is what it is. Their résumé speaks for itself. You talk about getting close to the line.... I don't really have a comment about that, but their past is what their past is, their present is what their present is."
Profootballtalk.nbcsports.com said Sherman's comments were a departure from the team's initial stance when asked about "Deflategate" last week. It reported that Sherman's quote, comparing the investigation to the league's threat to prevent Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch from playing with gold cleats.
ESPN's Lisa Salters gave Sherman a chance to clarify his remarks, or at least elaborate about his belief that the Patriots will avoid punishment.
"I don't because how that's gonna be," Sherman said. "It's the world we live in. It's the league we play in."
How Goodell will handle the investigation will be under close scrutiny, in part because of his relationship with Kraft.
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