How Big Are Brady's Balls? Deflate-Gate 2015!

For the AFC Championship game, each team is required to provide 12 game balls, all of which were checked before the AFC playoff game on January 18th, 2015. A CBS news report explains that the NFL's investigation is focusing solely on the New England Patriot game balls from that Sunday. It is now confirmed by the NFL, that during the first half of the game, 11 of the 12 game balls had been deflated by 2lbs PSI.

A deflated ball is easier for a human hand to grip, and can make playing easier. The bad balls were thrown away during half time. The second half game balls were re-weighed at the end of the game and they had remained in compliance with the 12.5lbs PSI requirements.

The NFL says the have hired both an investigative firm and law firm, with "sophisticated forensic expertise to assist in reviewing electronic and video information", to help them investigate these allocations further. The league claims to be rigorously on top of looking into these allegations, conducting 40+ interviews on the matter and yet NO PLAYERS including Sir Brady himself, have been interviewed in regards to potential tampering. A players union representative would need to be present for any player interviews.

"The NFL acknowledged, that rules may have been violated, that would harm the integrity of the game"

-Anna Werner, CBS News

The NFL is a brand that made 9.5 BILLION dollars in 2013, and is charging 4.5 MILLION per 30 second Super Bowl commercial spot. They have been making money on the game for years now, and if they would like to continue making big money for years to come, they should start taking the quality of brand management and integrity for the game, more seriously. They have noted they will be conducting interviews in the days to come, which is making it more and more likely that we won't know how these cheat balls were entered into AFC Championship game play, before the biggest showdown of the season!

Below is an article by Business Insider online, about the reported rumors that the NFL had been asked to look into the potential of the Patriots using deflated balls. The reports claim that the Colts had been tipped off, possibly by the Baltimore Ravens, about the Patriot's use of under inflated balls to cheat in games and had asked the NFL to look into it.

http://www.businessinsider.com/nfl-tipped-patriots-using-deflated-balls-2015-1

Are there rules about these things? YES, there are and what are great question! Here is what the NFL has to say about the requirements for a game day ball...

These quotes are provided for directly from the NFL Rulebook..

Rule 2; Section 1- Ball Dimensions

"The Ball must be a “Wilson,” hand selected, bearing the signature of the Commissioner of the League, Roger Goodell.

The ball shall be made up of an inflated (12 1/2 to 13 1/2 pounds) urethane bladder enclosed in a pebble grained, leather case (natural tan color) without corrugations of any kind. It shall have the form of a prolate spheroid and the size and weight shall be: long axis, 11 to 11 1/4 inches; long circumference, 28 to 28 1/2 inches; short circumference, 21 to 21 1/4 inches; weight, 14 to 15 ounces.

The Referee shall be the sole judge as to whether all balls offered for play comply with these specifications. A pump is to be furnished by the home club, and the balls shall remain under the supervision of the Referee until they are delivered to the ball attendant just prior to the start of the game."

Rule 2; Section 2- Ball Supply

"Each team will make 12 primary balls available for testing by the Referee two hours and 15 minutes prior to the starting time of the game to meet League requirements. The home team will also make 12 backup balls available for testing in all stadiums. In addition, the visitors, at their discretion, may bring 12 backup balls to be tested by the Referee for games held in outdoor stadiums. For all games, eight new footballs, sealed in a special box and shipped by the manufacturer to the Referee, will be opened in the officials’ locker room two hours and 15 minutes prior to the starting time of the game. These balls are to be specially marked by the Referee and used exclusively for the kicking game.

In the event a home team ball does not conform to specifications, or its supply is exhausted, the Referee shall secure a proper ball from the visitors and, failing that, use the best available ball. Any such circumstances must be reported to the Commissioner.

In case of rain or a wet, muddy, or slippery field, a playable ball shall be used at the request of the offensive team’s center. The Game Clock shall not stop for such action (unless undue delay occurs).

Note: It is the responsibility of the home team to furnish playable balls at all times by attendants from either side of the playing field."

Why are we just hearing about this now? Who randomly decided to weigh the balls half-way through the game? Why didn't we hear about this on the day of the game?

IF the weight of the PSI of the Football is such a big deal- to the point where a lack of weight can effect grip and playing capabilities- why is there not a ball weighing station on the side-lines? Why are there no standard operating procedures across NFL stadiums on who handles the balls, where and when? Why aren't balls weighed before being placed into play in the game?

Why don't the Pat's have a better idea what COULD have gone wrong, if anything did?

Great management rests on the ability to foresee potential problems, and the best ways to avoid them, and great leadership is founded in respect...