|
 ESPN cites league sources, though Greg Aiello, the NFL's senior
vice president of communications, told the media outlet the league
was not ready to comment.
Earlier, an NFL spokesperson said the investigation into the matter
should be completed within a few days.
Patriots quarterback Tom Brady has dismissed claims as "ridiculous."
The Patriots beat the Indianapolis Colts 45-7 to advance to the
February 1 Super Bowl, where they will meet the defending champion
Seattle Seahawks.
A softer ball could be easier to grip and catch and therefore
potentially might have helped the Patriots.
Each team uses its own balls when its offense is on the field.
The NFL requires balls to be inflated between 12.5 and 13.5 pounds
per square inch and weigh between 14 and 15 ounces.
[to top of second column] |
The NFL investigation still needs to find out how the 11 balls came
to be under-inflated, says ESPN.
The league must also decide whether to impose a penalty on the
Patriots and, if so, what it should be.
(Reporting by Andrew Both in Cary, North Carolina; editing by Amlan
Chakraborty)
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