One Bears player decided to bring *that* up before playing the Patriots

It's been debunked, disproven, dismantled, and even discredited through a report bringing to light a massive cover-up earlier this year. Yet nearly eight years after the initial '11 of 12' report, Deflategate drama apparently still runs deep for some - including those who will be lining up on the opposite sideline from the Patriots this week.

Thursday night, Chicago radio host Mark Carman posted a video of him and Bears fifth-year defensive lineman Justin Jones chatting in the locker room. The topic? Bill Belichick.

"When I say the name Bill Belichick, what's the first thing that pops into your head?" Carman asks.

"Deflated balls," Jones replies.

"Why do people not talk about that?" Carman says back, apparently having been off the grid since from January 2015 to November 2016 - during which time the storyline dominated not only sports but at times national news headlines, as the case nearly went to the Supreme Court, and Tom Brady ultimately served a four-game suspension before the Patriots won their fifth Super Bowl. That's not to mention all the references to the issue since.

"I heard it's still going on, so I'm going to check them things [the footballs] before we go," Jones explained.

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The clip goes on like that for about a minute, with Carman also mentioning the "recording practices" report from Super Bowl XXXVI that has since been retracted.

Look, I'm not going to waste your time relitigating an issue in Deflategate (or really any of the -gates) that should have been put to bed years ago. There shouldn't be a need to dive back into how the Patriots blew the Colts out in the second half of that AFC Championship Game, or ideal gas law, or the improper measurements, incorrect reporting, a bias investigation with vague results, and numerous reported shortcomings since.

Why? Because people are going to believe what they believe. If Jones wants to check the Patriots' footballs, so be it. While he's focused on that, Belichick and the Patriots will be focused on winning a football game.

Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at abarth@985TheSportsHub.com.