Posted on 01/22/2015 7:45:17 AM PST by Red Badger
Bill Belichick said he did not know how the Patriots’ footballs became underinflated in Sunday’s game. By Matt PepinGlobe Staff January 22, 2015
Coach Bill Belichick said he did not know of any issue with the Patriots’ game balls in Sunday’s AFC Championship, and did not learn the league was investigating his team until Monday morning.
He also said he did not know how the Patriots’ footballs became underinflated during the game.
“I have no explanation for what happened,” he said.
It was Belichick’s first appearance since news emerged that 11 of 12 footballs the Patriots used against the Colts in the AFC Championship were underinflated. He gave a lengthy opening statement, but responded to questions only by saying he had no more to say about it.
“When I came in Monday morning, I was shocked to learn of the news reports about the footballs. I had no knowledge whatsoever of this situation until Monday morning. I’d say I’ve learned a lot more about this process in the last three days than I knew or had talked about it in the last 40 years,” Belichick said.
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David L. Ryan/Globe Staff
Bill Belichick said he did not know how the Patriots’ footballs became underinflated in Sunday’s game. By Matt PepinGlobe Staff January 22, 2015
Coach Bill Belichick said he did not know of any issue with the Patriots’ game balls in Sunday’s AFC Championship, and did not learn the league was investigating his team until Monday morning.
He also said he did not know how the Patriots’ footballs became underinflated during the game.
“I have no explanation for what happened,” he said.
It was Belichick’s first appearance since news emerged that 11 of 12 footballs the Patriots used against the Colts in the AFC Championship were underinflated. He gave a lengthy opening statement, but responded to questions only by saying he had no more to say about it.
“When I came in Monday morning, I was shocked to learn of the news reports about the footballs. I had no knowledge whatsoever of this situation until Monday morning. I’d say I’ve learned a lot more about this process in the last three days than I knew or had talked about it in the last 40 years,” Belichick said. View Gallery Photos: Belichick speaks about Deflategate controversy
Patriots coach Bill Belichick spoke to the media Thursday morning on issues surrounding underinflated balls used during the AFC Championship game.
Belichick said he does not concern himself much with the condition of game balls, although he acknowledged players would have a greater interest in it.
“I think we all know that quarterbacks, kickers, specialists, have certain preferences on footballs, they know a lot more about it than I do, they’re a lot more sensitive than I am, and I hear them comment on it from time to time, so I can tell you, and they will tell you, that there is never any sympathy whatsoever from me on that subject,” Belichick said.
Belichick said he did not know quarterback Tom Brady’s preferences for game balls.
“Tom’s personal preferences on his footballs are something that he can talk about in much better detail and information than I could possibly provide,” Belichick said. “I can tell you in my coaching career I have never talked to any player, staff member, about football air pressure. That is now a subject that I have ever brought up. To me, the footballs are approved by the league and game officials pregame, and we play with what’s out there. And that’s the only way I have ever thought about that.”
Belichick said prior to this issue emerging, he was unaware of the exact process by which game balls were prepared and handled.
“Let me just say that my personal coaching philosophy and my mentality has always been to make things as difficult as possible for players in practice, and so with regard to footballs, I’m sure that any current or past player of mine will tell you that the balls we practice with are as bad as they can be. Wet, sticky, cold, slippery, however bad we can make them, I make them,” Belichick said. “Any time the players complain about the quality of the footballs, I make them worse.”
The Patriots face the Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX on Feb. 1.
Quarterback Tom Brady is scheduled to meet with the media on Thursday at approximately 4 p.m.
I blame it on Moochelle Obama! she could deflate anyone!
;)
This kind of reminds me of the mobsters in “On the Waterfront”, where the boss testified that all of his accounting records were stolen in a break in the night before the court hearing. He doesn’t know where they went.
It makes the ball softer, and easier to handle, especially in the rain, which it was training on game day. It also makes it easier to catch and hold on. Especially good for receivers and running backs since it is harder for the opposing team to knock the ball out from your grip.
This whole thing was discovered when a Colts defender intercepted a Brady pass and immediately knew something was wrong with the ball.....................
The league found out he knew about the bounty scheme and tried to cover it up.
The practice was not uncommon throughout the NFL.
Note this statement:
“...became underinflated during the game...”
Two days ago, Gronkowski tweeted about “Gronking” the ball after a touchdown...and Brady made a comment that “Gronking” was spiking the ball, and that he spiked the ball so hard, it deflated them.
This will be their meme. Cold weather and “Gronking” deflated the balls.
Which makes no sense. As far as I know, 4th down is not played with a K-Ball, but rather one of the teams set of 12 offensive balls. So the act of punting should deflate balls much more than “Gronking”...and that has never been a problem before.
The ball boy beat the crap out the balls in the elevator on the way down to the playing field, and the door opened unexpectedly - saving ball #12.
Really, that’s about the only thing he COULD say about it.
To speak about it at any level would indicate that he personally involves himself in how the footballs are handled/inflated.
It’s funny how he sort of took the 0bama strategy by saying that he first heard about it along with everyone else - from the media the next morning. (paraphrasing)
The Limbaugh Theorem applied to an NFL scandal! LOL!!
1. Maybe
2. Possibly
3. Might have
4. Nobody hit the balls
5. Doesn’t like deflated balls..................
Yup 100 NFL officials throughout the sidelines. cameras everywhere. And nobody saw anything. I think the refs, prior to the game did a cursory hand check of the balls and said “yeah, that’s okay”.
Thanks Red. Seems easier to intercept also.
It was 51°F at game time, not cold enough to make a difference unless they were inflated at 130°F!...............
That it was..............
The ball boy beat the crap out the balls in the elevator on the way down to the playing field, and the door opened unexpectedly - saving ball #12.
Goodell has the video from the elevator - but has had it destroyed.
Yes - I re-posted ‘cause I forgot the Goodell line...
And this happened BEFORE halftime, and during halftime the refs replaced all the balls. And in the second half the Patriots went 28-0 against the Colts.
It seems bringing the balls up to pressure HELPS the Patriots...
I understand you and many more assume the less inflated ball is easier to throw and catch, but the outcome seems to be it really doesn’t make things easier OR harder.
It’s interesting because most of the side chatter on this coming from players is that indeed the balls are left up to the QB and hopefully he doesn’t do anything illegal and nobody really cares. But of course with the Pats and Belichick being such a control freak it’s hard to truly accept he just let’s Brady do whatever he wants. But everybody else seems to do that. But Belichick...
Can someone explain why this is worthy of news?
“Goodell has the video from the elevator - but has had it destroyed.”
Well played.
Each team plays with their own footballs. The Colts did not play with deflated balls, just deflated skills.
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