This could mean big trouble for New England
We're pretty familiar in this country of stories of sliothars being switched for puck outs and dry balls being introduced at various times during games, and it seems that even in the NFL they're not above a snakey-snakey move to influence a game.
The Patriot's absolutely hammered the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday night to seal their place in the Super Bowl but after the game an
investigation was ordered after complaints about the footballs used on the night by the Pats.
According to reports this morning, the NFL has found that 11 of the 12 footballs used by the Patriots were underinflated by around two pounds each. A softer ball is easier to catch and throw and it's believed the suspicions were raised after a Colts interception on a Tom Brady pass in the second quarter.
It's believed that the official report will be issued in the coming days by the NFL, but now the question is being asked as to how the balls were tampered with after passing the original inspection by the referee.
Each team supplies 12 footballs for each game and they are inspected over two hours before kick off before they are handed to attendants on each team to take care of during the match.
If found guilty the Pats could face a fine or, as in the infamous 2007 case of 'Spygate', they may lose a draft pick. Either way it's going to be a very interesting build up to the Super Bowl.
https://twitter.com/mortreport/status/557748673208401921
Hall of Famer Jerry Rice isn't too pleased with the report's findings:
https://twitter.com/JerryRice/status/557756584563339265
But the Colt's Pat McAfee is probably hoping he gets to enjoy his post season break a little while longer:
https://twitter.com/PatMcAfeeShow/status/557764170318614530
H/T
ESPN
