Roger Goodell expects Deflategate investigation to conclude soon

The investigation into whether the New England Patriots used underinflated footballs during the AFC Championship against the Indianapolis Colts will conclude soon, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said.

[daily_cut.nfl]

Goodell appeared on CBS This Morning on Tuesdayfor a wide-ranging interview and said that league-appointed investigator Ted Wells hasn’t given him a timeline on when the report will be released, but said "it will not be long."

Wells, who also headed up the Miami Dolphins bullying scandal probe, has been investigating how 11 of 12 footballs the Patriots provided for game use were allegedly underinflated during the first half of the Patriots' 45-7 rout of the Colts.

"I do think it will be soon," Goodell said. "We have a responsibility to the 32 teams, not just the one team, to 32 teams, and our fans, and the general public here, to make sure things were done fairly.

"You want to make sure you have all the information. What we’re trying to do is just make sure we’re thorough."

• KING: The MMQB Mock Draft: Who Teams Will Pick

Goodell said the report will attempt to answer every question about what happened to the footballs during the game and to see if the Patriots are a repeat offenders of the rule.

"I think it's hard because you want to make sure you have all the information," he said. "One of the things that he would be asked to look for: Was it just one game?"

Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, head coach Bill Belichick and owner Robert Kraft have denied any knowledge of wrongdoing. The Patriots advanced to Super Bowl XLIX and ultimately prevailed 28-24 over the Seattle Seahawks.

Also in the interview, Goodell repeated his stance that the league did not get it right and failed to meet standards when punishing players for domestic violence offenses in the past.

"We didn't meet the standard because we didn't get it right. Very simple," Goodell said. "We didn't have the right people. And we were relying on the law enforcement....to make our decisions for us. That's not the way we have to do this. We have to do this with getting the right facts, get them independently if we have to, and make the right decisions ultimately."

GALLERY: The Most Talked-About Footballs in NFL History

The Most Talked-About Footballs in NFL History

With the NFL investigation into Deflategate concluding that it is probable the Patriots deliberately deflated footballs and that Tom Brady was "generally aware," here is a gallery of the most talked-about footballs in NFL history, beginning with Brady looking to pass in the first quarter against the Indianapolis Colts.

Tom Brady gestures before the snap in the first quarter against the Indianapolis Colts.

Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola cannot catch a pass while being defended by Darius Butler during the first half.

Tom Brady hands the ball off to LeGarrette Blount in the first quarter.

Tom Brady throws a pass in the first quarter.

Tom Brady looks to pass during the first half.

Shane Vereen makes a catch in the first quarter against Jerrell Freeman.

Rob Gronkowski cannot make a catch in the end zone over Colts cornerback Greg Toler during the first half.

Julian Edelman tries to make a catch during the first half.

Indianapolis Colts inside linebacker D'Qwell Jackson intercepts a pass intended for Rob Gronkowski during the first half.

D'Qwell Jackson intercepts a pass intended for Rob Gronkowski.

D'Qwell Jackson is congratulated by teammates after his interception.

Julian Edelman is tackled by cornerback Darius Butler during the first half.

James Develin scores a touchdown in the first quarter.

James Develin celebrates his first-quarter touchdown.

Julian Edelman runs with the ball against Greg Toler.

LeGarrette Blount runs with the ball in the first quarter.

Tom Brady looks to pass in the first half against the Colts.

Tom Brady runs for a first down in the second quarter.

An official has a ball handed to him during the AFC title game.

Tom Brady has a ball tossed to him during warmups before the AFC Championship game.

- Scooby Axson