NFL Finds Patriots Employees Probably Deflated Balls

[brooklynite]

Source: ABC News

An NFL investigation released Wednesday said that New England Patriots employees likely deflated footballs used in the AFC Championship and that quarterback Tom Brady was probably "at least generally aware" of the rules violations.

The NFL began investigating after the Patriots defeated the Colts 45-7 on January 18. The Colts complained that several footballs were under inflated and the NFL confirmed that 11 of the 12 footballs were under the limit. The investigation started as the Patriots were preparing for the Super Bowl — which they won two weeks later.

Footballs with less pressure can be easier to grip and catch. Some quarterbacks prefer footballs that have less air.

The NFL requires balls to be inflated between 12.5 and 13.5 pounds per square inch, and each team is responsible for the balls it uses on offense.

Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory/nfl-finds-patriots-employees-deflated-balls-30847384

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J'accuse!

Je m'en fiche! (I don't care...)

[Blue_Tires]

1. Of course nothing will happen

but it's just one more thing to add to a pretty long list...

[misterhighwasted]

2. Patriots & Repubs use the same playbook.

So it appears.
Just sayin

[pnwmom]

3. At least some of the polish will now be off their crowns.They were cheating and they were caught. nt

[benld74]

4. Brady likes his balls a tad on the squishy side,,,,,

[KeepItReal]

5. The fact that refs don't control all game balls was an eye opener

eom

[awoke_in_2003]

14. I think that will change this season...

but, like you say, it is surprising that they have gone this long and not done that.

[AngryOldDem]

20. Really. I had no idea either.

I suspect that will change, pronto. The NFL has enough issues with integrity as it is, and this is a relatively easy fix.

I'm in Indy, and a Colts fan, and I'm resigned that nothing will happen. Tom will most likely get fined, and it will be pocket change to him.

I'd like to see a couple-games suspension, at least, but I'm not holding my breath.

[shawn703]

6. The Patriots are cheaters. And in other news, the earth revolves around the sun. n/t

[lebkuchen]

7. At least it helped Brady's receivers "catch the fucking ball."

[KamaAina]

8. Gisele must be devastated.

[jakeXT]

9. I remember the headline

[tridim]

10. Thankfully it's baseball season now.

Where balls are scratched and adjusted regularly, but never deflated.

[jakeXT]

11. love the text messages

McNally: Tom sucks … im going make that next ball a (expletive) balloon

Jastremski: Talked to him last night. He actually brought you up and said you must have a lot of stress trying to get them done …

Jastremski: I told him it was. He was right though…

Jastremski: I checked some of the balls this morn… The refs (expletive) us…a few of then were at almost 16

Jastremski: They didnt recheck then after they put air in them

McNally: (Expletive) tom … 16 is nothing…wait till next sunday

Jastremski: Omg! Spaz

....

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/early-lead/wp/2015/05/06/if-nothing-else-the-wells-report-gave-us-hilarious-text-messages-about-tom-brady-deflategate/

[gopiscrap]

12. Patriots should be stripped of their title

and it should be given to Seattle. Plus the Patriots should be banned from playing all home games for a season and Brady kicked out of football.

[awoke_in_2003]

15. Maybe the Seahawks...

should have played well enough to win.

[gopiscrap]

16. They did

except the Patriots cheated...Tom Brady is a royal asswipe...ask him what his politics are like

[awoke_in_2003]

17. The deflated balls happened before the Super Bowl...

there is no way they could get away with it by then- they were being watched. I don't like Brady (lifelong Steelers fan), but Seattle lost fair and square. This is like the Seahawks whining after the Super Bowl with the Steelers because the concession stands weren't selling green towels. Steeler fans are known for the Terrible Towel, Seattle fans are known for stealing other people's bits (for instance, the 12th man) and whining about losing Super Bowls.

[jakeXT]

19. Borowitz: N.F.L. Sentences Brady to a Year with the Jets

http://www.newyorker.com/humor/borowitz-report/n-f-l-sentences-brady-to-a-year-with-the-jets

[IDemo]

21. Cruel and unusual punishment n/t

[awoke_in_2003]

13. "Tom Brady was probably "at least generally aware" of the rules violations"

what a stinging accusation

[YOHABLO]

18. 'F' professional sports

[whistler162]

22. I am surprised

that they didn't add maybe, could have, might have, there is a slight outside possibility. Any more definitive and they would be wishy-washy!

[Blue_Tires]

23. In retrospect

I'm glad Brady skipped the trip to the White House...My president can't be seen in the company of people with certain character issues...

[yellowcanine]

24. Tom Brady's balls were deflated?????!!!