Post by jetstream23 on Jan 20, 2015 15:18:23 GMT -5
More details coming out.
espn.go.com/boston/nfl/story/_/id/12198323/indianapolis-colts-interception-led-question-whether-new-england-Fagtriots-deflated-balls
espn.go.com/boston/nfl/story/_/id/12198323/indianapolis-colts-interception-led-question-whether-new-england-Fagtriots-deflated-balls
An interception by Indianapolis Colts linebacker D'Qwell Jackson during Sunday's AFC Championship Game is what initially led to an NFL investigation into whether the New England Patriots intentionally deflated footballs during their rain-soaked victory, Newsday is reporting.
The newspaper, citing a person familiar with background of the matter, reported that Jackson, following his second-quarter interception, gave the ball to a member of the Colts' equipment staff, who noticed it was not fully inflated and informed Indianapolis coach Chuck Pagano.
According to the Newsday report, as well as WCVB-TV in Boston, Colts general manager Ryan Grigson was alerted about the ball in the Gillette Stadium press box. Grigson contacted NFL director of football operations Mike Kensil, who then told game officials during halftime.
New England, up 17-7 at that point, went on to win 45-7. The Pats scored three third-quarter touchdowns as heavy rain soaked Gillette.
On Monday, a league spokesman confirmed to ESPN that the NFL is investigating the matter. Vice president of football operations Troy Vincent told Pro Football Talk on Tuesday that the investigation will be completed within the next two to three days, but did not specify when the findings of the investigation would be announced.
"The team is in place in New England now interviewing staff members," Vincent said on PFT Live. "For a fan, you want to know that everything's equal. The integrity of the game is so important."
Asked by ESPN.com on Tuesday morning if he has heard from the NFL, Patriots coach Bill Belidick said, "Any questions on that, you should talk to them about."
The newspaper, citing a person familiar with background of the matter, reported that Jackson, following his second-quarter interception, gave the ball to a member of the Colts' equipment staff, who noticed it was not fully inflated and informed Indianapolis coach Chuck Pagano.
According to the Newsday report, as well as WCVB-TV in Boston, Colts general manager Ryan Grigson was alerted about the ball in the Gillette Stadium press box. Grigson contacted NFL director of football operations Mike Kensil, who then told game officials during halftime.
New England, up 17-7 at that point, went on to win 45-7. The Pats scored three third-quarter touchdowns as heavy rain soaked Gillette.
On Monday, a league spokesman confirmed to ESPN that the NFL is investigating the matter. Vice president of football operations Troy Vincent told Pro Football Talk on Tuesday that the investigation will be completed within the next two to three days, but did not specify when the findings of the investigation would be announced.
"The team is in place in New England now interviewing staff members," Vincent said on PFT Live. "For a fan, you want to know that everything's equal. The integrity of the game is so important."
Asked by ESPN.com on Tuesday morning if he has heard from the NFL, Patriots coach Bill Belidick said, "Any questions on that, you should talk to them about."