BOSTON, M.A. — The New England Patriots are under investigation by the NFL for possibly using deflated footballs in Sunday’s AFC Championship game against the Indianapolis Colts. In rainy conditions, deflated footballs are easier to grip and catch.
The investigation is stemmed from a local television station in Indianapolis, which could be a red flag. However, the Patriots were under investigation in 2007 by the NFL for the videotaping controversy, so this is not a first for their organization.
New England Patriots quarterback, Tom Brady, said at a routine interview Monday morning, “I think I’ve heard it all at this point…I don’t even respond to stuff like this.”
Footballs are checked by officials two hours and 15 minutes before game time and are marked as either a game ball or kicking ball. These footballs are kept in the officials’ possession at all times.
There was a brief incident following halftime after the Patriots returned the third quarters’ opening kick. Referee Walt Anderson interrupted the first offensive play for the Patriots to replace a football. The Patriots then went on to score three third-quarter touchdowns. This series of events is what NFL investigators seem to be focusing on.
Any team staff that knowingly knew of altering footballs can be fined and the head coach as well as other team personnel can be susceptible to discipline.
