This is going to make the next two weeks even more unbearable than they already were going to be. (coming from a Packers fan living in Boston)

11/12 patriot game balls were 2 pounds psi under

He wasn't throwing nerf footballs with built in homing devices which raises the question of why cheat at all if it's making such a small difference and you're gonna blow out this team regardless. It's not like the game came down to a miraculous 1 handed catch

Just another non-story for the media to talk about to fill the dead time before the superbowl. The Pats ran something like 73 plays in that game. That means the refs touched those balls 73 times. If they didn't have a problem with it I don't see why everyone else does.

Rogers said he likes to over inflate the ball, no one seems to be freaking out about that.

A 2 PSI difference is not changing the outcome of a 45 - 7 game. It's just sour grapes.

- Coming from a Steelers fan.

The league will just take away their 7th round pick or something stupid like that.

DockEllisJust another non-story for the media to talk about to fill the dead time before the superbowl. The Pats ran something like 73 plays in that game. That means the refs touched those balls 73 times. If they didn't have a problem with it I don't see why everyone else does.

Rogers said he likes to over inflate the ball, no one seems to be freaking out about that.

A 2 PSI difference is not changing the outcome of a 45 - 7 game. It's just sour grapes.

- Coming from a Steelers fan.

also if they were consistently under inflated by the same amount there could have been a problem with the device they used to inflate them, gauge being off or something

DockEllisJust another non-story for the media to talk about to fill the dead time before the superbowl. The Pats ran something like 73 plays in that game. That means the refs touched those balls 73 times. If they didn't have a problem with it I don't see why everyone else does.

Rogers said he likes to over inflate the ball, no one seems to be freaking out about that.

A 2 PSI difference is not changing the outcome of a 45 - 7 game. It's just sour grapes.

- Coming from a Steelers fan.

While I have spoken fondly about the Pats, this whole scenario makes me sick.

BUT I have a few questions for the league?

1. Why did the officials not notice yet a sideline coach did?

2. How could this take 3 days yet Ray Rice Scandal took so much longer?

3. The league has openly investigated other cases of this, yet never brought it to light?

4. Do fans REALLY think this influenced the game?

.MASSHOLE.While I have spoken fondly about the Pats, this whole scenario makes me sick.

BUT I have a few questions for the league?

1. Why did the officials not notice yet a sideline coach did?

2. How could this take 3 days yet Ray Rice Scandal took so much longer?

3. The league has openly investigated other cases of this, yet never brought it to light?

4. Do fans REALLY think this influenced the game?

There's isn't even the slightest doubt in my mind that this made absolutely no difference in the outcome of the game.

That being said, having 11/12 balls under-inflated is too much of a perfect number to be a coincidence. (1 ball left for kicking).

Why? Why would they do it? They would have swept the colts under the rug either way, so why did they decided to do it? How did the refs not notice?

This has to go punished. It is not their first offense. You can't preach a new era of league wide accountability and then let this be swept up.

DockEllisJust another non-story for the media to talk about to fill the dead time before the superbowl. The Pats ran something like 73 plays in that game. That means the refs touched those balls 73 times. If they didn't have a problem with it I don't see why everyone else does.

Rogers said he likes to over inflate the ball, no one seems to be freaking out about that.

A 2 PSI difference is not changing the outcome of a 45 - 7 game. It's just sour grapes.

- Coming from a Steelers fan.

It's pretty clear the deflated balls had absolutely no effect on the outcome, but I still wonder why they were deflated and who did it.

pussyfooterIt's pretty clear the deflated balls had absolutely no effect on the outcome, but I still wonder why they were deflated and who did it.

I read somewhere that it's a pretty common occurrence similar to pine tar use in the MLB. Some QBs like harder balls, some like softer.

Brad Johnson, the Tampa Bay QB when they won the super bowl in 03 admitted to scuffing the balls for better grip which is technically illegal. During the Carolina Minnesota game sideline attendants for both teams were caught heating the balls, also technically illegal.

pussyfooterIt's pretty clear the deflated balls had absolutely no effect on the outcome, but I still wonder why they were deflated and who did it.

haha, i agree that it'd be pathetic to argue that the win was because of the balls, and it's weird that the refs never noticed i guess, but i think we know who did it and why. there's a reason there are rules about this-- and they should definitely be called out for it and punished

it's not like theyre going to have the win taken away or something. draft picks or something will be the punishment, right?

it's been pretty funny seeing my typically reasonable friends lose their ability to think clearly when defending this because theyre pats fans. "oh well it didnt even make a difference." oh really? then don't do it. don't cheat and you wont ever have to argue the marginal effect on the game of breaking certain rules.

re: the spying thing "well all the teams spy." that's great but they didn't get caught, you did. deal with it... don't complain when the pats are the ones sullying their own season

I don't watch American football at all so I'm a bit confused.

It seems like the Patriots are responsible for supplying the game balls? Is this true? Why the fuck isn't there a standard ball to be used for every game which the refs would supply or some shit?

Seems like they're just asking for shit like this to happen

AT-ATThat being said, having 11/12 balls under-inflated is too much of a perfect number to be a coincidence. (1 ball left for kicking).

no that's not how it works, see below

DockEllisI read somewhere that it's a pretty common occurrence similar to pine tar use in the MLB. Some QBs like harder balls, some like softer.

Brad Johnson, the Tampa Bay QB when they won the super bowl in 03 admitted to scuffing the balls for better grip which is technically illegal. During the Carolina Minnesota game sideline attendants for both teams were caught heating the balls, also technically illegal.

no well what happens is each team/QB gets i think 12 balls to scuff up a little, inflate or deflate, etc to their preferences, within a certain acceptable range

and then i think they sort of do the same for kickers but they have way fewer balls (3, 4 or so) and they get less time to "customize" them

also i just read that the officials discovered the flat balls at halftime...?

I get the feeling this is going to be like the videotaping incident all over again. Everyone does it, patriots just got caught.

Really does beg the question though, how did officials who's entire life is knowing every aspect of the game not notice?

RubberSoulno that's not how it works, see below

no well what happens is each team/QB gets i think 12 balls to scuff up a little, inflate or deflate, etc to their preferences, within a certain acceptable range

and then i think they sort of do the same for kickers but they have way fewer balls (3, 4 or so) and they get less time to "customize" them

also i just read that the officials discovered the flat balls at halftime...?

Ah yes I take back that point. A whole 12 balls are marked with a "K" before the game and are used in kicking situations.

This whole ordeal is comical. #tombradyssaggyballs

As a Patriots fan, I think this whole ordeal is hilarious. I almost feel a little bit of pride that they are willing to bend the rules to get any sort of advantage. Anyone who has ever played sports knows that's a part of it. I enjoy having the reputation of being the villain of the NFL. Belichick is so deep inside everyone's head that they'll look for any excuse and barely even focus on their own game.

Being a Patriots fan it shouldn't make you sick to your stomach. It should make you want to laugh in the face of all those complaining about something SO minute and remind them who's in the Super Bowl and who's not. Yeah we deflated the footballs, and guess what, we're on to Seattle.

It's not about whether or not it would affect the outcome of the game - it wouldn't. The Patriots have made Luck and the Colts their begging bitch over the couple of years.

HOWEVER, IF it is true, then it is purely about manipulation and a deliberate, conscious decision to break the rules, regardless of the outcome.

In the end, I don't give a fuck. !!!!!!!!!!REPEAT!!!!!!!!!!

If you aint cheatin you aint trying, thats what footballs all about people, get used to it.

I as well personally don't care....its 2 fucking psi.

The refs should have caught it at any point of the game, I played football in highschool and some junior college, every time at possession change the refs handled handled the ball, if a player and sideline coach can catch it, a professional referee should be able to do the same thing.

If they really wanted to make sure the balls were a certain PSI, they would check them 15 minutes before the game and not let the players use them until the game starts....not checking them 2 hours and 15 minutes before the game and then giving them to the team.

Now my next point, if any of you think the Patriots are the only team "cheating" you are idiots. The NFL is a billion dollar industry, making oodles and oodles of dollars every day. There is to much money on the line, and owners/coaches/players will do anything to keep their jobs and get more money (ie Bounty Gate 2009 Saints) The Pats just get caught.

Do people not realize that air contracts in cold temperatures? And it doesn't just happen with footballs; soccer and basketballs deflate in cold temperatures as well. The fact that this is practically national news and people are complaining about it is pretty sad.

Oh well, Pats 38-24.

Granite_StateDo people not realize that air contracts in cold temperatures? And it doesn't just happen with footballs; soccer and basketballs deflate in cold temperatures as well. The fact that this is practically national news and people are complaining about it is pretty sad.

Oh well, Pats 38-24.

I mean they inflate the footballs at temperature. Something happened, but it doesn't really matter.

pussyfooterI mean they inflate the footballs at temperature. Something happened, but it doesn't really matter.

Let the hate reign down, but I disagree with just about everyone in this thread. I don't know whether a 2 lb difference did or didn't make a difference. The fact is that it COULD have and it puts the results into question. I don't know what the league is going to do, but it's a tough decision for them. If the perception is that everyone cheats and the outcome is determined by who is the best at getting away with it(Pro Cycling, cough cough), will the game lose popularity? I don't know, and it doesn't matter. What matters is what Goodell and the league thinks about it.

I recognize that there is a huge difference between Pro Cycling and Professional football, but ultimately they live and die by the same things: Fan and sponsor support. Goodell is trying to figure out what the financial impact will be. It's a huge industry. The fact that it's all over the news and gaining more traction makes it a pretty big deal. They also have to consider that this is the second time for the Pats under the same coach. Sean Payton (Saints) got suspended for a whole year for not stopping their bounty program, and that was his first offense. Seems like the trend is that the league is taking this pretty seriously.

I kind of wonder what Vegas thinks about it.

Yeah, I'm talking out of my ass, but so is everyone else. We shall all see what happens.

Mr.HuckLet the hate reign down, but I disagree with just about everyone in this thread. I don't know whether a 2 lb difference did or didn't make a difference. The fact is that it COULD have and it puts the results into question. I don't know what the league is going to do, but it's a tough decision for them. If the perception is that everyone cheats and the outcome is determined by who is the best at getting away with it(Pro Cycling, cough cough), will the game lose popularity? I don't know, and it doesn't matter. What matters is what Goodell and the league thinks about it.

I recognize that there is a huge difference between Pro Cycling and Professional football, but ultimately they live and die by the same things: Fan and sponsor support. Goodell is trying to figure out what the financial impact will be. It's a huge industry. The fact that it's all over the news and gaining more traction makes it a pretty big deal. They also have to consider that this is the second time for the Pats under the same coach. Sean Payton (Saints) got suspended for a whole year for not stopping their bounty program, and that was his first offense. Seems like the trend is that the league is taking this pretty seriously.

I kind of wonder what Vegas thinks about it.

Yeah, I'm talking out of my ass, but so is everyone else. We shall all see what happens.

I mean does a deflated ball matter for a running back? I don't think so. Take away the passing game and the colts have 0 and pats have 21.

Mr.HuckThey also have to consider that this is the second time for the Pats under the same coach.

There's also nothing that says Belichick knew about/or had anything to do with the situation, so hold your horses on that front.

Granite_StateDo people not realize that air contracts in cold temperatures? And it doesn't just happen with footballs; soccer and basketballs deflate in cold temperatures as well. The fact that this is practically national news and people are complaining about it is pretty sad.

Oh well, Pats 38-24.

But the Colts balls were fine. Why the difference, if they were inflated under the same conditions?

I don't know much about football but I'm a Pats fan (geography, what can I say?). Sucks to hear this. Anyone considering the possibility of foul play? It could be the perfect crime (especially in the context of Brady's comments back in 2011) and it throws the Pats under the bus lol.

It's a tarp!

34 Reasons Why Patriots Fans Are The Worst

Worst fans in football since 1776.

posted on Jan. 21, 2015, at 11:30 a.m.



Matt Stopera

BuzzFeed Staff



Dave Stopera

BuzzFeed Staff

1. “Wicked” is not a cool word. No one should say it.



chowdaheadz.com

2. All they can talk about how 14 degrees is “warm.”

3. We get it. You grew up where it was cold.

4. We get it. The leaves change colors.

5. Weather humblebrags about snow are dumb. Snow is only exciting for two to three hours after it falls.

6. Lip tattoos aren’t cool.



Bleacher Report@BleacherReport Follow

Pats fans show off tattoos, including “Belichick yourself before you wreck yourself” arm tat http://t.co/VljHwMAG2E

8:52 PM - 16 Jan 15

7. They refer to Boston as “The City.”

8. Plymouth Rock is barely a rock. Might as well call it “I’m Disappointing, Even for a Surprisingly Small Rock” Rock.



en.wikipedia.org

9. Stop fooling yourself: Apple picking isn’t really fun. BEES.



Wikipedia Commons

10. I burned my tongue on Dunkin’ Donuts coffee last week.

11. Tom Brady wears Uggs.



Uggs

12. And he’s scared of water slides.



Splash

13. And his ponytail…



AP

14. The Crucible was just an OK book.

15. And let’s be honest: pretty fucked up to kill a bunch of women like that.



Getty Images

16. Also the bars close early there.

17. They go camping, kayaking, and hiking like every day and won’t stop clogging your feed with ‘grams of it.

18. Everything is haunted.

19. It’s not a frappe; it’s a MILKSHAKE.

20. Skull tattoos aren’t cool. You think skeletons are cool, Patriots fans?



Isaiah L. Carter@IsaiahLCarter Follow

Well, what do you expect from Pats fans?? RT @NFL_Memes: What were they thinking? http://t.co/ctR87G0yOO

3:36 PM - 13 May 14

21. The pilgrims were racist as hell.

22. And Christmas is better than Thanksgiving, anyway.

23. Why would anyone in their right mind waste all that tea? Not really my idea of a tea “party,” to be honest. Just seems wasteful.



24. Their chowder is like drinking an actual bowl of cream with clams in it.



Thinkstock

25. Plus, the letters E and R in conjunction are sacred and should be respected. It’s “chowder,” not “chowdah.”



reddit.com

26. Also clam chowder isn’t healthy. You think eschewing proper eating habits is cool, Patriots fans?

27. Paul Revere was a snitch.

28. L.L. Bean is overpriced and for moms. You think backpack initials are cool, Patriots fans?



llbean.com

29. Dane Cook.

30. Candlepin bowling is not an officially recognized NCAA sport.

31. Calvin Coolidge was a mediocre president.



en.wikipedia.org

32. I could probably beat up Johnny Appleseed.

33. There are way too many old buildings everywhere. It’s like, hey, you ever hear of insulation?



en.wikipedia.org

34. They will be truly offended by this list.

View Responses 37





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pussyfooterI mean does a deflated ball matter for a running back? I don't think so. Take away the passing game and the colts have 0 and pats have 21.

The argument that I have heard is that an under inflated ball is easier to grip, which would make it harder for the other team to knock it loose and cause a fumble.

I can say from personal experience that I have noticed when I was passing the football with my son that I can sometimes get a tighter spiral when the ball is not inflated all the way. There's nothing scientific about this, I know. I'm not saying that it would be an advantage, but it could be.

frosted_flakesThere's also nothing that says Belichick knew about/or had anything to do with the situation, so hold your horses on that front.

I'm not saying that he did. Like I said, I don't know, but I am sure that the league will consider it. They will look at the totality of it. If they conclude that there is a culture of cheating within the Pats organization, I'm sure the penalties will be more severe.

According to the colts Dwayne Allen, the could have been throwing a bar of soap and still beat them. They were simply the better team.

If anyone thinks Belichick was really behind this, you might be retarded.

People also think the Pats cheat because their ends will call ineligibility/eligibility after they break the huddle and the defense doesn't know if they need to cover them for a pass. Guess what, it's not illegal, so figure out how to do your job.

Mr.HuckLet the hate reign down, but I disagree with just about everyone in this thread. I don't know whether a 2 lb difference did or didn't make a difference. The fact is that it COULD have and it puts the results into question. I don't know what the league is going to do, but it's a tough decision for them. If the perception is that everyone cheats and the outcome is determined by who is the best at getting away with it(Pro Cycling, cough cough), will the game lose popularity? I don't know, and it doesn't matter. What matters is what Goodell and the league thinks about it.

I recognize that there is a huge difference between Pro Cycling and Professional football, but ultimately they live and die by the same things: Fan and sponsor support.

Just to be clear, we're talking about a league where you could assemble a pretty respectable team out of players who get arrested in the off-season...every year.

It's plausible, but I think the same fans who aren't too bothered by domestic abuse, dui, and in a few cases even murder... Won't be bothered by a slight psi discrepancy

Just thought I'd leave this here.

fujaromeI get the feeling this is going to be like the videotaping incident all over again. Everyone does it, patriots just got caught.

Really does beg the question though, how did officials who's entire life is knowing every aspect of the game not notice?

This pretty much sums up how I feel about it right now. Everyone does shit like this, but what a stupid thing to get busted for, and a stupid thing to be made into such an ordeal. Plus, if it made enough of a difference to alter the results (which at least very few people believe) how in the hell did no one notice/ say anything?

frosted_flakesAs a Patriots fan, I think this whole ordeal is hilarious. I almost feel a little bit of pride that they are willing to bend the rules to get any sort of advantage. Anyone who has ever played sports knows that's a part of it. I enjoy having the reputation of being the villain of the NFL. Belichick is so deep inside everyone's head that they'll look for any excuse and barely even focus on their own game.

Being a Patriots fan it shouldn't make you sick to your stomach. It should make you want to laugh in the face of all those complaining about something SO minute and remind them who's in the Super Bowl and who's not. Yeah we deflated the footballs, and guess what, we're on to Seattle.

This is how I want to feel. Whatevah, still won.

why are people so genuinely pissed off over this? its so fuckin laughably stupid. deflating balls to try and get an advantage? lol, come the fuck on.

I think we are all forgetting the fact that the colts failed to show up and play sunday as well, I don't think soft balls had any impact on them shitting the bed in a horrible fashion.

I really do not think that Bill did this. Something tells me he just did not. I could be totally wrong but I can't help but feel that it is something else or someone else that did it. Bill is just to smart to do something so stupid.

ski.loonI really do not think that Bill did this. Something tells me he just did not. I could be totally wrong but I can't help but feel that it is something else or someone else that did it. Bill is just to smart to do something so stupid.

I'm with you on that, don't think Bill did it. It really wouldn't have mattered since the score was 45-7 anyways. Lets see where the NFL goes from here with it.

ski.loonI really do not think that Bill did this. Something tells me he just did not. I could be totally wrong but I can't help but feel that it is something else or someone else that did it. Bill is just to smart to do something so stupid.

I guarantee Bill doesn't give a fuck about the air pressure in the balls. It was probably a request of Brady to take some pressure out, and Brady and the people in charge of preparing the balls probably didn't even think about the regulations because NO ONE CARES. Why are we still talking about this?

Sidenote: How the fuck does Stephen A. Smith still have a job? That guy is an absolute dunce.

frosted_flakesI guarantee Bill doesn't give a fuck about the air pressure in the balls. It was probably a request of Brady to take some pressure out, and Brady and the people in charge of preparing the balls probably didn't even think about the regulations because NO ONE CARES. Why are we still talking about this?

Sidenote: How the fuck does Stephen A. Smith still have a job? That guy is an absolute dunce.

Stephen A. and Skip Bayless still have a job since they spew controversial bullshit and posers love that.

frosted_flakesI guarantee Bill doesn't give a fuck about the air pressure in the balls. It was probably a request of Brady to take some pressure out, and Brady and the people in charge of preparing the balls probably didn't even think about the regulations because NO ONE CARES. Why are we still talking about this?

Sidenote: How the fuck does Stephen A. Smith still have a job? That guy is an absolute dunce.

Could not agree more. Stephen A. Smith is a dumbass idiot who should have lost his job after the 10th time he said the N word on national television

fujaromeReally does beg the question though, how did officials who's entire life is knowing every aspect of the game not notice?

They probably do notice, but because it's commonplace and everyone does it, probably just don't care. Same way nobody else cares/cared, including the Colts players, except that one person in the Colts organization who was overly butthurt about getting slapped around by the Pats, and decided to complain about it as a result. That's all this is, another team just overly butthurt that they got spanked by the Pats. Just like how Jerry Rice came out and tweeted about this, speaking out against the Pats, because he's still butthurt that he lost the snow bowl in 2001.

a couple sources have said that the refs noticed during the first half and decided not to stop play and just check them at half time

..so the echo chamber can stop repeating "how did the refs not know?" over and over

really dont think it should be called cheating. I can see why everyone is a little jelly of the pats but jesus christ the balls were under inflated by 16%. NO ONE would give a fuck about this if it was the Broncos/Seahawks/Colts/Ravens because everyone likes those teams. Is altering footballs cheating anymore than a team having players using PEDS? absolutely not.

RubberSoula couple sources have said that the refs noticed during the first half and decided not to stop play and just check them at half time

And why did the refs not stop play and waited to check at half time? Because nobody cares about this. Strange how all the journalists writing about this "scandal" continually fail to mention how little anyone in the league cares about this, and how commonplace it is for quarterbacks to do.

WattsAnd why did the refs not stop play and waited to check at half time? Because nobody cares about this. Strange how all the journalists writing about this "scandal" continually fail to mention how little anyone in the league cares about this, and how commonplace it is for quarterbacks to do.

right, that is definitely a meaning you could take from that

i agree it's not a big deal...but i also think it's silly that some people act offended that it's being talked about like it's not worth mentioning

breaking the rules is breaking the rules.. "moving the goalposts" of the argument when caught is really silly.. that's why there are enforced rules. if theyre caught they'll get a proportional punishment. seems pretty simple

RubberSoulright, that is definitely a meaning you could take from that

i agree it's not a big deal...but i also think it's silly that some people act offended that it's being talked about like it's not worth mentioning

breaking the rules is breaking the rules.. "moving the goalposts" of the argument when caught is really silly.. that's why there are enforced rules. if theyre caught they'll get a proportional punishment. seems pretty simple

Completely agree with everything you said. I think the rule book says a $25k fine is the punishment. Granted it is technically a second offense for them, so I could understand something more harsh.

But the people saying the Pats shouldn't be playing in the SB, Belichick should be fired, or they should lose all their draft picks are blowing this thing way out of proportion.

DeebieSkeebieswhy are people so genuinely pissed off over this? its so fuckin laughably stupid. deflating balls to try and get an advantage? lol, come the fuck on.

I think we are all forgetting the fact that the colts failed to show up and play sunday as well, I don't think soft balls had any impact on them shitting the bed in a horrible fashion.

Seriously. for like the 5th time in a row we've put up 40+ points against the Colts. Do people think deflated balls had anything to do with Blount cutting through the Colts D like a samuri sword through warm butter?

RubberSoulright, that is definitely a meaning you could take from that

i agree it's not a big deal...but i also think it's silly that some people act offended that it's being talked about like it's not worth mentioning

breaking the rules is breaking the rules.. "moving the goalposts" of the argument when caught is really silly.. that's why there are enforced rules. if theyre caught they'll get a proportional punishment. seems pretty simple

Aaron Rodgers has confessed openly to doing this, and no action was taken against him by the NFL. When the Vikings were caught keeping their footballs near a heater during a particularly cold game, which is illegal and considered tampering with the balls, all they got, as far as I can tell, was a warning. If the Pats get similar treatment, then fine, but anything else seems unfair, considering other teams/players who are known to have broken these same rules aren't being punished in any way. The fact that it happened in a playoff game shouldn't effect the NFL's response, but that probably won't be the case.

DockEllisCompletely agree with everything you said. I think the rule book says a $25k fine is the punishment.

If it wasn't a 25k fine for the Vikings and wasn't for Rodgers, seems unfair that it would be for the Pats.

A friend noticed this and posted on Facebook. Pretty funny. The comment was "maybe Brady shouldn't have done the press conference in front of the Gillette "Flexball" logo.

Pardon the dub post, but this is great too. No matter how this turns out people are going bust out their best skills for da funny.

So many funnies.

If the Pats would've won by 7 or less, this might be a big deal. But 45-7? The Colts are just unhappy about losing by so much, so they found an excuse