The NFL has conducted nearly 40 interviews since beginning an investigation into allegations that footballs were not properly inflated in the AFC Championship Game, but it appears a resolution is not coming soon.
The NFL issued a statement Friday afternoon, the first detailed public comment from the league since the Patriots were accused of using underinflated footballs in a 45-7 victory over the Colts last Sunday. The investigation is being headed by NFL executive vice president Jeff Pash and attorney Ted Wells, who led the league’s investigation into a bullying incident involving the Miami Dolphins.
The NFL has also retained the investigatory firm Renaissance Associates, which uses “sophisticated forensic expertise to assist in reviewing electronic and video information.” The league’s statement also said the Patriots have pledged their full cooperation and that investigators have interviewed team personnel, game officials, and “third parties with relevant information and expertise.”
Quarterback Tom Brady said Thursday that he had not talked to league officials.
“Our office has been conducting an investigation as to whether the footballs used in last Sunday’s AFC Championship Game complied with the specifications that are set forth in the playing rules,” the statement began. “The investigation began based on information that suggested that the game balls used by the New England Patriots were not properly inflated to levels required by the playing rules, specifically Playing Rule 2, Section 1, which requires that the ball be inflated to between 12.5 and 13.5 pounds per square inch.
“Prior to the game, the game officials inspect the footballs to be used by each team and confirm that this standard is satisfied, which was done before last Sunday’s game.”
An NFL source told the Boston Globe that referee Walt Anderson inspected 48 game footballs — 24 supplied by the Patriots and 24 by the Colts — with a pressure gauge and all of the balls were inflated to the proper specifications. The league requires balls to be in the ranges of 12.5 to 13.5 pounds per square inch.
According to media reports, 11 of the 12 balls used by the Patriots during the game were checked at halftime and were found to be at least two-pounds per square inch below the specified level. The NFL began its investigation Sunday night, according the league statement.
Coach Bill Belichick said Thursday he had no knowledge of any tampering and knew little about the pregame procedure of preparing footballs. Brady also said he knew nothing about any tampering and he did not alter any footballs.
“The playing rules are intended to protect the fairness and integrity of our games,” the NFL’s statement said. “We take seriously claims that those rules have been violated and will fully investigate this matter without compromise or delay. The investigation is ongoing, will be thorough and objective, and is being pursued expeditiously. In the coming days, we expect to conduct numerous additional interviews, examine video and other forensic evidence, as well as relevant physical evidence.
“While the evidence thus far supports the conclusion that footballs that were underinflated were used by the Patriots in the first half, the footballs were properly inflated for the second half and confirmed at the conclusion of the game to have remained properly inflated.”
Brady and Belichick were peppered with questions Thursday and that will likely continue next week, when media from around the world covers Super Bowl week. The Patriots will arrive in Arizona Monday night, when Brady and Belichick hold press availability.
The league went on in its statement to say the investigation will attempt to determine the “explanation for why footballs used in the game were not in compliance with the playing rules and specifically whether any noncompliance was the result of deliberate action. We have not made any judgments on these points and will not do so until we have concluded our investigation and considered all of the relevant evidence.”
When will the investigation be complete?
“As we develop more information and are in a position to reach conclusions, we will share them publicly,” the statement concluded.
The Globe cites a Patriots source as saying the NFL contacted the team around noon Monday and that investigators visited the team facility Tuesday. Investigators interviewed full-time and part-time employees, looked at Gillette Stadium security camera and cellphones, and conducted more interviews before leaving Wednesday.
Anderson has reportedly told league investigators that he conducted a thorough check of the footballs 2 hours and 15 minutes before kickoff. The balls remained in the custody of the officials until about 10 minutes before kickoff and they are carried to the field by ballboys just before the game, according to the Globe.
Brady said he selected footballs Sunday afternoon, just as he does before every game. He insisted that he knew nothing about how the footballs were transported and treated between the time he picked them and the game.
“I think everyone is obviously trying to figure out what happened,” Brady said Thursday. “I think that’s the main thing over the last couple days. It’s trying to figure out what happened. … I think over the last few days people have been trying to figure out — as the NFL is trying to figure out — what part of the process and from when I saw the ball which was five hours before halftime, what exactly happened.”
Patriots owner Robert Kraft issued a statement that followed the NFL’s remarks. Kraft said the team gave the NFL access to “every full- and part-time employee” the league investigators requested to speak to over their three-day visit.
“I very much support the league’s desire to conduct a complete investigation and welcome the appointment of Ted Wells to lead the process,” Kraft said, referencing the attorney who also conducted the investigation into the Miami Dolphins’ bullying scandal in 2013.
“Competitive balance and the integrity of the game are the foundation of what makes our league so special and I have the utmost respect for those principles,” Kraft said. “Our organization will continue to cooperate throughout the league’s investigation. Meanwhile, our players, coaches and staff will continue to focus on our preparations for Super Bowl XLIX and the many challenges we face as we prepare for the Seattle Seahawks.”
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC