Ex-New England TE Coates: Pats will move past Deflategate

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Former New England tight end Ben Coates recently has heard from many friends, all bashing the Patriots for deflating footballs.

Coates cautioned everyone Monday to hold off, not to point fingers because “honestly, stuff happened all the time” and the Patriots are looked at more harshly because of their success.

Coates was a 1991 draft pick of the New England out of Division II Livingstone College and blossomed into their best tight end of the decade with 490 receptions and 50 touchdowns in his nine seasons. He was named to five straight Pro Bowls and was voted to New England’s all-1990s team.

The NFL announced its penalties after Coates addressed the situation. But before he was to be inducted into the South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame, Coates said the Patriots would deal with the penalties “and hopefully, move on.”

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