United States News
See other United States News Articles
Title: NFL finds Patriots used underinflated footballs
Source:
[None]
URL Source: http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2 ... PZI3eotRTBadM89saeO/story.html
Published: Jan 21, 2015
Author: Ben Volin
Post Date: 2015-01-21 09:39:14 by A K A Stone
Keywords: None
Views: 4248
Comments: 14
The Patriots used underinflated footballs on Sunday night. The next question is how did it happen? According to a National Football League letter about the investigation into the controversy that was shared with the Globe, the Patriots were informed that the league’s initial findings indicated that the game balls did not meet specifications. The league inspected each of the Patriots’ 12 game balls twice at halftime, using different pressure gauges, and found footballs that were not properly inflated. According to ESPN, 11 of the 12 game balls were found to be underinflated by about 2 pounds each. The NFL specifications say they must be inflated to 12½ to 13½ pounds. The investigation is still ongoing. RELATED | Christopher L. Gasper: Thanks to Spygate, Patriots will always be labeled cheaters View Story NFL says investigation will be completed in ‘two or three days’ An NFL executive said the league hopes to have completed its investigation of footballs that may have been deflated “in the next two or three days.” The ‘Deflategate’ controversy Photos from AFC title game A league spokesman declined to comment Tuesday, and earlier in the day, NFL executive vice president Troy Vincent told Pro Football Talk that the investigation would ideally be complete within two or three days. If the Patriots are found to have deliberately doctored footballs, the organization can be fined a minimum of $25,000, and if the NFL finds the incident egregious, the Patriots could potentially lose a draft pick. In 2007, commissioner Roger Goodell took away a first-round draft pick and fined Patriots coach Bill Belichick after determining the team had spied on an opponent. The Patriots defeated the Colts, 45-7, on Sunday night to earn their eighth Super Bowl appearance in franchise history. The next day, the NFL confirmed it was investigating whether the team used underinflated footballs. The Colts reportedly grew suspicious after linebacker D’Qwell Jackson intercepted Tom Brady late in the second quarter. A softer football is easier to throw and catch, especially in rainy conditions, as was the case Sunday night. RELATED | On Football: Colts never had a chance against the Patriots According to Newsday, Jackson gave the ball to a member of the Colts’ equipment staff, who notified coach Chuck Pagano, who then relayed a message to general manager Ryan Grigson in the press box. He contacted Mike Kensil, NFL director of football operations, who then told the on-field officials at halftime. On the first play from scrimmage after the opening kickoff of the third quarter, the officials held up the game for a minute and ultimately switched out the game ball. Former NFL official Mike Carey, working the broadcast booth for CBS, surmised that “It looks like they still spotted the ball for a kicking ball, waiting for one of the ball guys to come down and give them a regular ball.” The investigation will attempt to find out if the Patriots tampered with the footballs after the referee inspection. It’s possible that cold temperatures affected the pressure of the footballs, but it was an unusually warm 51 degrees at kickoff. At least one official touches the football on every play, yet none seemed to notice until halftime. The Patriots led, 17-7, at intermission, and outscored the Colts, 28-0, after the officials seemingly corrected the ball issue. RELATED: What is Deflate-gate? A breakdown of the controversy Per the NFL rulebook, each team provides game officials with 12 footballs before the game, and the balls are required to be inflated between 12½ and 13½ pounds per square inch. The referee inspects the game balls 2 hours and 15 minutes before kickoff, places a special marking on each ball that passes inspection, and hands the approved balls to attendants on each team, who are supposed to maintain custody of the balls on each sideline. Each team uses its own football on offense — a 2013 New York Times article said that each team even has its own logo on the football when on offense — and teams are allowed to slightly doctor the footballs to their preference. “Rubbing up” the football with dirt to make it less slippery is common, and so is slightly adjusting the inflation levels. Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers likes to overinflate the football. When the Packers and Patriots played on Nov. 30, CBS broadcaster Phil Simms relayed a conversation he had with Rodgers. RELATED | Kevin Cullen: Detractors can’t stop trying to take the air out of Patriots “He said something which was unique. ‘I like to push the limit to how much air we can put in the football, even go over what they allow you to do, and see if the officials take the air out of it,’” Simms said of Rodgers. “Because he thinks it’s easy for him to grip. He likes them tight.” Rodgers defended the practice Tuesday on his radio show on ESPN Milwaukee. “It’s not an advantage when you have a football that’s inflated more than average air pressure. We’re not kicking these footballs,” he said. RELATED: Photos from the Patriots-Colts game It’s unclear how often the NFL investigates ball issues. In another incident this season, the NFL reminded all 32 teams that they cannot warm the balls with sideline heaters during cold games, after the Panthers and Vikings did it in their Nov. 30 game in Minneapolis, drawing a warning from officials. “If something is noticed, it’s not unheard of for a ball to be removed from circulation and then tested during the week for whatever issue there was,” head of officiating Dean Blandino said.
Poster Comment: Piece of shit Bill Bellochick should be banned for life from the game. Just like Pete Rose was for baseball. Anyone else involved should also be banned for life. That includes Brady who had to know they were underinflated as he is a professional who would know the difference.
Post Comment Private Reply Ignore Thread
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest
#1. To: All (#0)
You can contact the NFL and suggest banning the cheaters.
Pete Rose should have been in the Hall of Fame years ago.
I agree. He was my favorite player. I have a painting of him that my deceased grandmother did for me in Pastels.
Each team uses its own football on offense — a 2013 New York Times article said that each team even has its own logo on the football when on offense — and teams are allowed to slightly doctor the footballs to their preference. “Rubbing up” the football with dirt to make it less slippery is common, and so is slightly adjusting the inflation levels. Well that is just plain stupid. "Some people march to a different drummer — and some people polka."
Then the guy with the needle drying off the ball will just let some air out under the towell as he is "drying it off". Just ban multiple time cheater Belichick.
Take their entire 2015 draft away, lower the teams salary cap, and indefinitely ban the entire coaching staff. That seems fair to me.
Since both teams were using the same balls, could someone explain the big deal of them being under-inflated?
They use different balls on offense. The referees control the balls for the kickers.
It ranks among the most stupid.
I agree. He was my favorite player. Overkill on the punishment.
Via CBS Connecticut, Tom Brady told WEEI in Boston more than three years ago that he likes deflated footballs. “[W]hen Gronk scores – it was like his eighth touchdown of the year – he spikes the ball and he deflates the ball,” Brady said in November 2011. “I love that, because I like the deflated ball. But I feel bad for that football, because he puts everything he can into those spikes.” profootballtalk.nbcsports...dy-said-in-2011-he-likes- deflated-footballs/
Geez, this is all we'll hear about for the next two weeks.
LOL. Even football fans like a good CT story.
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
Brady knew. He's probably the one who ordered it done.
#2. To: A K A Stone (#0)
Just like Pete Rose was for baseball
“Truth is treason in the empire of lies.” - Ron Paul
Americans who have no experience with, or knowledge of, tyranny believe that only terrorists will experience the unchecked power of the state. They will believe this until it happens to them, or their children, or their friends.
Paul Craig Roberts
#3. To: Deckard (#2)
Pete Rose should have been in the Hall of Fame years ago.
#4. To: A K A Stone (#0)
Per the NFL rulebook, each team provides game officials with 12 footballs before the game, and the balls are required to be inflated between 12½ and 13½ pounds per square inch. The referee inspects the game balls 2 hours and 15 minutes before kickoff, places a special marking on each ball that passes inspection, and hands the approved balls to attendants on each team, who are supposed to maintain custody of the balls on each sideline.
Both teams should play with the same dang ball. The NFL can afford to provide the referess with a budget to provide "neutral" balls that meet official specifications at all games. They can even hire a couple neutral "ball boys" (or better yet, ball girls!) to make sure nobody illegally tampers with or switches balls on the sideline, They can even stick a tiny microchip inside each ball to quickly identify each one. I had one of those injected into my cat so he won't get lost or picked up as a stray if he wanders off outside. So if I can afford it then I know the NFL can too.
#5. To: Willie Green (#4)
#6. To: A K A Stone (#1)
#7. To: A K A Stone (#1)
#8. To: BobCeleste (#7)
#9. To: Willie Green (#4)
Well that is just plain stupid.
#10. To: A K A Stone (#3)
Pete Rose should have been in the Hall of Fame years ago.
#11. To: Willie Green (#4)
#12. To: Excalibur (#11)
Tom Brady told WEEI in Boston more than three years ago that he likes deflated footballs.
#13. To: Fred Mertz (#12)
#14. To: A K A Stone (#0)
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest
[Home] [Headlines] [Latest Articles] [Latest Comments] [Post] [Mail] [Sign-in] [Setup] [Help] [Register]