( CNN ) I am all in . Go Patriots . Win . By a lot . Some of you who follow this space will know I have had a somewhat tortured two weeks reconciling my genetic predisposition to be a Patriots fan , with my disdain for breaking the rules . ( Some of you probably do n't give a crap what I think , and if that is the case , then I am happy to be wasting your time . ) I still believe that if the Patriots had air taken out of the footballs intentionally , then it is cheating . Repeat : if they did it , they cheated . And that is bad . Very bad . And cheering for them would fill me with guilt and remorse . ( See here . ) However , I also believe , that if there is no proof that they did it , then there is simply no justification to penalize them , sanction them , or even criticize them . There really needs to be proof that someone took some sort of affirmative action deflate those footballs . The existence of an underinflated football is not a violation . It is the act of deflating it , or causing it to be deflated that is the infraction ( yes , I once applied to law school ) . We do n't have proof . Not yet . Accordingly , until there is proof , I believe every Patriots fan should root like hell for them . Lose your voice , burst your spleen , strain a hamstring ; do whatever you can to get them into the end zone Sunday night . I will wear my Tom Brady jersey with honor and pride . And none of these actions or beliefs is inconsistent . In fact , I think this is the most reasonable , rational , objective position to take . If they cheated , it 's bad . Right now , there is no proof they cheated . I know that there are members of Patriots Nation who refuse to even acknowledge the possibility that they cheated . There are also members of the `` snark lobby , '' who think too much is being made of all this . On the flip side there are Patriots-haters who think that Bill Belichick only lies when he speaks or breathes . And that Tom Brady only achieved anything through subterfuge and favoritism . In my opinion , all of these views are wrong . And I am only glad you have each other to collectively fester in your pool of myopic loathing ( hyperbole added in the spirit of competition ! ) . If they cheated , it 's bad . Right now , while the NFL continues its investigation , there is no proof they cheated . So go Patriots . Crush the Seahawks with firm balls all above 12.5 PSI . Win big . I am cheering for you 112.5 % percent . But after the fact , if it turns out you did cheat in the AFC Championship game ? Well , I will feel angry and guilty and you should be punished . That makes sense . And I do too . Probably .
John Berman : Until there is proof they cheated , the Patriots deserve fans ' support . Comment: