NFL investigating claims Patriots deflated balls in Colts win
A load of hot air? League says they are looking into Indiana TV station's claim
The NFL is investigating whether the New England Patriots deflated footballs that were used in their AFC championship game victory over the Indianapolis Colts.
“We are looking into it,” league spokesman Brian McCarthy said. “We do not have anything further to add at this point.”
The inquiry was first reported by an Indiana TV station, citing an unnamed source.
“We’ll cooperate fully with whatever the league wants us to, whatever questions they ask,” Belichick said.
The Patriots have come under scrutiny with regards to NFL rules in the past, most infamously when they were punished for videotaping sideline signals used by the New York Jets during a 2007 game. Belichick was fined US$500,000, and the team was docked US$250,000 and stripped of its 2008 first-round draft pick.
According to the NFL rule book, home teams are responsible for furnishing playable balls at all times. Each team brings 12 primary balls, while home teams are required to also bring 12 backup balls.