The New England Patriots stomped the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC Championship game Sunday night, but there's focus on some potentially illegal activity on the Pats' sidelines. The NFL is reportedly investigating whether the Patriots were intentionally deflating footballs.
NFL spokesman Michael Signora confirms the NFL is looking into whether footballs were properly inflated in Patriots-Colts game.
— Bob Glauber (@BobGlauber) January 19, 2015
Deflated balls could be easier to throw and catch, but Patriots quarterback Tom Brady treated the topic as laughable. "I think I've heard it all at this point ... it's ridiculous," Brady said. "I don't even respond to stuff like this."
The NFL does not think it is so laughable though, and are looking into it. Per the NFL rule book, New England could be facing a $25,000 fine as well as further punishment.
"Once the balls have left the locker room, no one, including players, equipment managers, ball boys, and coaches, is allowed to alter the footballs in any way. If any individual alters the footballs, or if a non-approved ball is used in the game, the person responsible and, if appropriate, the head coach or other club personnel will be subject to discipline, including but not limited to, a fine of $25,000."
The story may be treated with less scrutiny if it weren't the Patriots involved, who are infamous for "SpyGate." In 2007 the Patriots were caught videotaping defensive signals from the New York Jets from the opposite sideline. For this, Pats coach Bill Belichick was fined $500,000, the organization was hit with a $250,000 fine, and the team lost their 2008 first round pick.
SpyGate also cast suspicions on previous Patriots' Super Bowl victories. They will now enter Super Bowl XLIX with another controversy hanging over them.
[ESPN]
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