NFL Set To Investigate Patriots For Deflating Balls

NFL spokesman Michael Signora told NFL Network the league is looking into the Patriots' apparent use of overly deflated footballs during Sunday's 45-7 AFC title game win over the Colts.

Midway through the game, a ball was taken off the field and out of circulation, Signora told Rapoport. NFL rules stipulate 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 Network reports.


In the original report, via Bob Kravitz of Indianapolis TV station WTHR, Kravitz reported that if the NFL confirms deflated footballs were used to gain an advantage it could cost the Patriots draft picks.

The NFL is investigating the Patriots for deflating footballs during the AFC Championship Game against the Colts, according to a report from Bob Kravitz of WTHR.com in Indianapolis.

Kravitz makes the point no matter what the Pats did, it wouldn't have affected the outcome of the game, but the league is still looking into the incident and could dock the Pats draft picks.

The University of Southern California, under Lane Kiffin, was fined for deflating footballs previously. Basically, footballs that are below regulation weight are easier to throw, catch, etc.