As the NFL investigates deflate-gate, a report says that it wasn't just one under-inflated football, which Indianapolis Colts linebacker D'Qwell Jackson happened to intercept, that was suspect.
A report by ESPN's Chris Mortensen said that 11 of the New England Patriots' 12 allotted game footballs in Sunday's AFC championship game were each under-inflated by 2 pounds of air per square inch, according to Mortensen's league sources. That's hard to chalk up as a coincidence, and now the Patriots will face some hard questions. According to NFL rules, each team in NFL games makes 12 primary balls available for testing by the referee two hours and 15 minutes before kickoff. In addition, the home team makes 12 backup balls available. The visiting team can bring 12 backup balls in games played outdoors.
If the report is accurate, how were 11 balls under-inflated, each by a significant amount?
The ball is, by rule, to be inflated with 12.5 to 13.5 pounds of air per square inch and weigh 14 to 15 ounces. Two pounds of air per square inch is a lot, given those guidelines. It's surprising the officials, who handle the footballs throughout the game, didn't notice. Reports on Tuesday said after Jackson's interception in the second quarter, word got to NFL director of football operations Mike Kensil in the press box and he told the officials at halftime.
A source told Mortensen the league is "disappointed ... angry ... distraught" at the latest findings.
Adding to the story, CBSSports.com's Jason La Canfora reported that in the Baltimore Ravens-Patriots divisional playoff game, some of the Ravens believed the kicking balls used in the game were under-inflated.
The NFL had no comment immediately on Mortensen's report.
As the NFL's investigation continues, the Patriots' past will continue to be brought up. The Patriots and coach Bill Belichick are still reminded of Spygate, the 2007 scandal in which the team videotaped opponents' signals. The Patriots were fined $250,000, Belichick was fined $500,000 and the team was stripped of a first-round pick. If the NFL finds that the Patriots purposely deflated footballs against the Colts, which would have made them easier to pass and catch in the rain, the league could fine them, and there was a report the NFL could take a draft pick from New England.
The Patriots won the AFC championship game 45-7, and under-inflated balls weren't the reason for that. But it will be on the NFL to find out how almost all of the primary footballs provided by the Patriots were under-inflated. Even if the footballs weren't the reason the Patriots are going to the Super Bowl, if they are found to have altered the balls after the referee's pregame inspection, the NFL will presumably send a strong message.
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Frank Schwab is the editor of Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at shutdowncorner@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @YahooSchwab
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