NEW YORK — The National Football League is investigating whether or not the New England Patriots used a deflated football in their 45-7 win Sunday night over the Indianapolis Colts.
“NFL spokesman Michael Signora confirmed in an email to Newsday on Monday morning that the matter is being investigated,” Bob Glauber reported in Newsday. “Signora declined to offer further details about the matter.”
If you watched the game, you may recall a ball was taken off the field prior to the start of the second half.
According to a report on NFL.com:
Per the NFL rulebook, game balls must be inflated with between 12.5-13.5 pounds of air. Each team must provide 12 primary balls for testing prior to the game.
NFL VP of officiating Dean Blandino told NFL AM on Monday that, “it’s not unheard of for a ball to be removed from circulation and then tested during the week for whatever issue there was.”
A deflated football could provide an advantage by helping a player improve his grip on the ball.
“I think I’ve heard it all at this point,” Patriots quarterback Tom Brady said on WEEI-FM. “That’s the last of my worries. I don’t even respond to stuff like this.”
In 2007, the Patriots got into trouble for illegally video taping an opposing team’s defensive signals.
