Should we be pointing the finger at The New England Patriots or the NFL Referee for 12 game balls were inflated
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| Should we Be pointing the finger at The New England Patriots or the NFL Referee for 12 game balls were inflated |
"We are not commenting at this time," said Greg Aiello, the NFL's senior vice president of communications.
League sources have confirmed that the footballs were properly inspected and approved by referee Walt Anderson 2 hours and 15 minutes before kickoff, before they were returned to each team.
The investigation found the footballs were inflated 2 pounds per square inch below what's required by NFL regulations during the Pats' 45-7 victory over the Indianapolis Colts, according to sources.
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| The New England Patriots under-fire |
Under NFL rules, no alteration of the footballs is allowed once they are approved.
Troy Vincent, the league's senior executive vice president of football operations, told The Associated Press late Tuesday in response to this report that the "investigation is currently underway, and we're still awaiting findings." He told "Pro Football Talk with Mike Florio on NBC Sports Radio" earlier Tuesday that the NFL expected to wrap up its investigation in "two or three days."
During that game, Colts safety Mike Adams twice intercepted Tom Brady and gave the balls to the Colts' equipment manager to save -- and both times there were concerns about the balls feeling under inflated, sources told Schefter.
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| THE NFL is Again Under Investigation |
Those sources said the Colts raised concerns to the league, which was aware of the issue going into this weekend's AFC title game.
Yet to be determined is what, if any, penalties may be imposed upon the Patriots. One source described the league as "disappointed ... angry ... distraught" after spending considerable time on the findings earlier Tuesday.
Part of the investigation that needs further vetting is how the 11 footballs became under inflated.
If New England was to be DQ'd.. We'd be their replacements right??... I should probably lay off these strawberry margs
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) January 21, 2015
The balls are required to be inflated between 12.5 and 13.5 pounds per square inch and weigh between 14 and 15 ounces. Once approved by the referee, the balls are then put into ball bags and are set on the sideline for each team. The ball bags are not guarded or watched in any way. When an official calls for a new football, a team's designated ball boy will get a new football from the ball bag and give it to the official.
@NFLonFOX not a story. They could have played with soap for balls and beat us. Simply the better team. We have to continue to build! #BTM
— Dwayne Allen (@Dallen83) January 21, 2015
@nfl So we get to play the game again or nah? 👀
— Darius Butler (@DariusJButler) January 21, 2015
11 of 12 balls under-inflated can anyone spell cheating!!! #Just Saying
— Jerry Rice (@JerryRice) January 21, 2015
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