According to league sources involved in the NFL’s investigation of Sunday’s AFC Playoff game, 11 of 12 of New England’s allocated footballs were under-inflated by two pounds of air (PSI) when the Patriots beat the Indianapolis Colts, 45-7.
NFL’s senior vice president of communications, Greg Aiello said (via ESPN.com)
We are not commenting at this time.
Earlier Tuesday, the league’s senior vice president of football operations Troy Vincent had claimed that the NFL was expected to conclude their investigation in “two or three days.”
At this time, if any penalties are to be suffered by the Patriots they are yet to be determined. Sources described the league as “disappointed…angry…distraught,” after coming up with these findings earlier on Tuesday.
How the 11 footballs became under-inflated is still part of the investigation. According to reports, the balls to be provided to each team for preparation prior to the game are to be inspected and approved by referee Walt Anderson two and one-quarter hours ahead of kickoff before being returned to each of the teams.
According to league rules, no altercation of the balls is allowed after they are approved. Each football is required to be inflated between 12.5 and 13.5 pounds per square inch and weigh 14-15 ounces.
Patriots’ spokesman Stacey James had this to say.
We have been in complete cooperation with the league and will continue to do so.
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