P
Prick
Guest
Bill Belichick addressed allegations Thursday that the New England Patriots deflated game balls against the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC Championship, saying "I had no knowledge of this situation whatsoever until Monday."
The NFL is investigating whether the Patriots intentionally deflated game balls during the AFC Championship, making it easier for Tom Brady to throw and receivers to catch passes in rainy conditions. Belichick said that he had "no explanation for what happened" to cause Patriots game balls to deflate. He added that he did not know the regulations governing the inflation of game balls.
"Knowing that now in the future, we will certainly inflate the footballs above that low level to account for any possible change during the game," Belichick said.
On Tuesday night, ESPN reported that 11 of the 12 balls set aside for the Patriots offense were found to be under inflated by as many as two pounds. By regulation, all NFL game balls are supposed to be inflated to between 12.5 and 13.5 pounds per square inch (PSI).
The Colts weren't aware of the deflated balls until Brady threw an interception in the second quarter to linebacker D'Qwell Jackson, who brought the ball to a Colts equipment manager to be checked.
On Tuesday night, the Boston Globe reported that officials discovered the issue at halftime. According to the rules, the refs are supposed to replace the balls that do not meet standard with balls from the visitors' sideline.
If the Patriots did deflate balls, they like would have done so shortly after the game's opening kickoff. Officials are supposed check the balls two hours and 15 minutes before game time. The balls were tested before the game, according to the rules, per Pro Football Talk.
As for a potential punishment, the NFL rulebook says that teams tampering with balls are subject to a $25,000 fine. However, NFL commissioner roger Goodell has the authority to deliver harsher discipline if he sees fit. In the Patriots' case, that could include a loss of draft picks.
The NFL is investigating whether the Patriots intentionally deflated game balls during the AFC Championship, making it easier for Tom Brady to throw and receivers to catch passes in rainy conditions. Belichick said that he had "no explanation for what happened" to cause Patriots game balls to deflate. He added that he did not know the regulations governing the inflation of game balls.
"Knowing that now in the future, we will certainly inflate the footballs above that low level to account for any possible change during the game," Belichick said.
On Tuesday night, ESPN reported that 11 of the 12 balls set aside for the Patriots offense were found to be under inflated by as many as two pounds. By regulation, all NFL game balls are supposed to be inflated to between 12.5 and 13.5 pounds per square inch (PSI).
The Colts weren't aware of the deflated balls until Brady threw an interception in the second quarter to linebacker D'Qwell Jackson, who brought the ball to a Colts equipment manager to be checked.
On Tuesday night, the Boston Globe reported that officials discovered the issue at halftime. According to the rules, the refs are supposed to replace the balls that do not meet standard with balls from the visitors' sideline.
If the Patriots did deflate balls, they like would have done so shortly after the game's opening kickoff. Officials are supposed check the balls two hours and 15 minutes before game time. The balls were tested before the game, according to the rules, per Pro Football Talk.
As for a potential punishment, the NFL rulebook says that teams tampering with balls are subject to a $25,000 fine. However, NFL commissioner roger Goodell has the authority to deliver harsher discipline if he sees fit. In the Patriots' case, that could include a loss of draft picks.
