I’ve read from various sources that the Colts’ footballs WERE checked and within range, whereas the Patriots were not (at half time).
I’ve read various sources that say the Colts footballs were checked, but the original sources aren’t sure when that refers to. Along the line, there was an assumption that they meant half-time, but that’s one of the things we don’t know.
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Reading between the lines, I’d say the Ravens complaint from the week before of not having properly inflated KICKING balls, was the reason.
Could be, but at no time are the teams allowed to have the kicking balls unsupervised, and both teams use the same ones. Kicking balls are shipped directly to the Referees, and the kickers are allowed 45 minutes of directly supervised working of the ball in the presence of the referee. New balls are issued every game.
See post 154.
Also I’m not so sure that the kicking balls are in the ref’s hands after the game starts. Yes, they are new balls, but are you sure the home team ball attendants aren’t in charge of them once the game begins? I think they may be.