Maddie Meyer, Getty Images
Maddie Meyer, Getty Images
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New England Patriots' quarterback Tom Brady addressed the media Thursday afternoon, saying he did not alter the footballs used in Sunday's AFC Championship game and does not know how they became under-inflated.

"I would never do anything to break the rules," Brady said.

Brady took the podium a few hours after Coach Bill Belichick addressed the media in a similar fashion, saying he had "no explanation" why the balls were under-inflated by as much as 2 lbs. per square inch.

Although he initially laughed off the "Deflate-gate" controversy in a radio interview Monday morning after the Patriots beat the Indianapolis Colts, Brady said Thursday that in the interim, he realized the significance and score of the issue.

"This is a very serious topic," Brady said. "The integrity of the sport is important."

While acknowledging the seriousness of the investigation, Brady was clear that he felt the better team won on Sunday.

"I felt like we won the game fair and square," he said.

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