Bill Belichick: Ask Tom Brady how he likes his footballs

New England Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick faced the press for the first time on Thursday since the DeflateGate story broke after his team's victory over the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC championship game.

"I was shocked to learn of the footballs on Monday. I had no knowledge until Monday morning. I'd say I've learned a lot more about this process in the last three days than I knew, or had talked about it, in the last 40 years that I've coached in this league.

"In my entire coaching career, I have never talked to any player or staff member about football air pressure. The footballs are approved by the league and officials pregame, and we play with what's out there. That's the only way that I have ever thought about that.

"I think we all know that quarterbacks, kickers, specialists have certain preferences on footballs. They know a lot more about it than I do. They're a lot more sensitive to it than I am.

"I hear them comment on it from time to time, but I can tell you and they will tell you that there is never any sympathy whatsoever from me on that subject. Zero. Tom's personal preferences on his footballs is something he can talk about in much better detail and information than I can possibly provide.

"Obviously, with our footballs being inflated to the 12.5-pound range, any deflation would then take us under that specification limit.

"Knowing that now, in the future, we will certainly inflate the footballs above that low level to account for any possible change during the game," Belichick said.

Brady is scheduled to address the media and the DeflateGate controversy at 3:45 p.m. ET on Thursday.