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Sherman Says Goodell Won't Punish Kraft, Patriots For DeflateGate

BOSTON (CBS) -- Many fans in New England don't think the Patriots will be punished once the NFL concludes their investigation of the recent "DeflateGate" controversy, and Richard Sherman agrees.

However, the Seattle corner has a much different reason for his thought process. While New England fans think the Patriots will get off because the NFL will find no wrongdoing, Sherman's theory involves a little more of a conspiracy.

"Will they be punished? Probably not," Sherman said at his first media availability after arriving in Arizona Sunday night for Super Bowl XLIX. "Not as long as Robert Kraft and Roger Goodell are still taking pictures at their respective homes."

Sherman was making reference to a photo of the NFL commissioner and Patriots owner at a party at Kraft's house the night before the AFC Championship Game. The team posted the photo to their official Twitter account:

"You talk about conflict of interest," added Sherman. "As long as that happens, it won't affect them at all. Nothing will stop them."

Sherman says "DeflateGate" is just the latest chapter in New England's long history of bending the rules.

"Their résumé speaks for itself," he said. "You talk about getting close to the line, this and that. I don't really have a comment about that. Their past is what their past is. Their present is what their present is."

It should be a fun week leading up to Super Bowl XLIX.

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