Retired NFL columnist Peter King reflects on one of his biggest regrets: his handling of the Deflategate scandal.
In his January 23, 2015 column, King supported ESPN’s report by Chris Mortensen alleging that the New England Patriots’ footballs were under-inflated during a game against the Colts. However, King later realized that his sources had misled him, leading to a public apology in August of that year.
Speaking on CBS Sports Radio’s “Maggie & Perloff” show, King expressed deep regret over the incident, acknowledging that regardless of his sources, the responsibility ultimately fell on him. The fallout from the erroneous reporting weighed heavily on him, especially when Patriots owner Robert Kraft publicly criticized the coverage.
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The shame from the incident persisted for King even after he moved to NBC and continued his column under the title “Football Morning in America.” Despite the setback, King remained grateful for his 44-year career covering the NFL, which recently culminated in his retirement announcement.
As he bids farewell to his illustrious career, King remains thankful for the opportunities and experiences he had as a sportswriter, expressing gratitude for the privilege of being part of the industry for over four decades.
