# AFC and NFC Conference Championship Games NFL **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [January 17, 2015, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/afc-and-nfc-conference-championship-games-nfl/710085 "2015-01-17T19:01:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![borschevsky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/97f17d/32.png) [@borschevsky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/borschevsky)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2015, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/afc-and-nfc-conference-championship-games-nfl/710085/181 "2015-01-21T22:17:41Z")
> [@sachertorte](#): > > I have a problem with that since there was a Colt player who identified the ball as under inflated upon touching it once (interception), which implies that the lack of inflation was clearly noticeable to anyone who touched it. > > The mitigating factor is that the referees didn’t notice that the balls were under inflated either, and they presumably were touching the under inflated balls multiple times as well. The Colts player didn’t notice anything wrong with the ball. He gave the ball to one of the Colts equipment managers, and that’s who noticed. Does anyone know what the actual procedure is when the refs inspect the balls before the game? Do they actually use a pressure gauge to test the balls, or do they test by feel, and look for scuffs and so on? ---
**Author:** ![sachertorte](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sachertorte/32/3727_2.png) [@sachertorte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sachertorte)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2015, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/afc-and-nfc-conference-championship-games-nfl/710085/182 "2015-01-21T22:22:41Z")
> [@borschevsky](#): > > The Colts player didn’t notice anything wrong with the ball. He gave the ball to one of the Colts equipment managers, and that’s who noticed. Oh dear. I could have sworn I read that the reason he gave it to the equipment manager was because he thought it was under inflated. Not that my reading it makes it true in any case. What I need is an in-depth investigation with double blind experiments using 10, 11, and 12 psi footballs. That’s got to be happening on ESPN right now, right? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2015, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/afc-and-nfc-conference-championship-games-nfl/710085/183 "2015-01-21T22:50:48Z")
> [@sachertorte](#): > > Here is what bothers me about the Patriots situation. In order to believe that this was all an accident and that there was no intentional cheating, I would have to believe that Of course it was intentional. Everybody does it, and nobody cares. But when it’s the Patriots, ZOMG CHEATING!!! ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2015, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/afc-and-nfc-conference-championship-games-nfl/710085/184 "2015-01-22T00:57:42Z")
> [@AlsoNamedBort](#): > > Yeah, at least one ref would be touching the football after every single play. How did they not notice? This is my question too. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2015, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/afc-and-nfc-conference-championship-games-nfl/710085/185 "2015-01-22T01:50:11Z")
Maybe the zebras do not squeeze the ball the way a player who is intent on catching or on not fumbling would. They expect the ball to be regulation, after all, they were tested before the game, so they are not palpitating them to be certain. The pressure was still enough to feel reasonably firm, merely handling it might not be enough to reveal the reduced pressure. ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2015, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/afc-and-nfc-conference-championship-games-nfl/710085/186 "2015-01-22T02:17:34Z")
> [@sachertorte](#): > > Oh dear. I could have sworn I read that the reason he gave it to the equipment manager was because he thought it was under inflated. That’s what I’ve read as well. The Colt who intercepted Brady’s pass noticed the ball felt soft, and said so. However, the story was still young at that point, and new shit may have come to light since then. ---
**Author:** ![TonySinclair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/49beb7/32.png) [@TonySinclair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TonySinclair)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2015, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/afc-and-nfc-conference-championship-games-nfl/710085/187 "2015-01-22T21:21:04Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > Maybe the zebras do not squeeze the ball the way a player who is intent on catching or on not fumbling would. They expect the ball to be regulation, after all, they were tested before the game, so they are not palpitating them to be certain. The pressure was still enough to feel reasonably firm, merely handling it might not be enough to reveal the reduced pressure. Pretty hard to understand how they didn’t notice this: [https://usatftw.files.wordpress.com/2015/01/ap\_super\_bowl\_football\_70163834.jpg?w=1000&h=667](https://usatftw.files.wordpress.com/2015/01/ap_super_bowl_football_70163834.jpg?w=1000&h=667) ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2015, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/afc-and-nfc-conference-championship-games-nfl/710085/188 "2015-01-22T22:09:35Z")
> [@TreacherousCretin](#): > > That’s what I’ve read as well. The Colt who intercepted Brady’s pass noticed the ball felt soft, and said so. However, the story was still young at that point, and new shit may have come to light since then. He has since said he didn’t notice anything. The story now is that the equipment guys he gave the ball to afterward are the ones who reported it. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2015, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/afc-and-nfc-conference-championship-games-nfl/710085/189 "2015-01-22T22:42:46Z")
> [@notfrommensa](#): > > If there is a guy who was told to deflate the footballs, he should be a very rich man right now. > > If not, what is to not stop him from going to the league? Loyalty? Because he’d probably lose his job? And as you pointed out, money. Seriously, would YOU want to be the one to get caught? Would some of you Patriots fans quit whining about how everyone’s blaming you only because YOU HATE THE PATRIOTS WAH WAH WAH??? I don’t like the Patriots no, although not enough to accuse them of cheating automatically. BUT…it does’t look good, and Belichick doesn’t exactly have a great reputation when it comes to this sort of thing. So naturally, people will be suspect. As for saying, “well, yeah, we didn’t NEED TO CHEAT BECAUSE WE WOULD’VE BEATEN THEM ANYWAYS!!!” Dude, that’s not the point and you know it. So calm the fuck down already. ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2015, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/afc-and-nfc-conference-championship-games-nfl/710085/190 "2015-01-22T22:58:13Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > Would some of you Patriots fans quit whining about how everyone’s blaming you only because YOU HATE THE PATRIOTS WAH WAH WAH!!!? If this is directed to me, I’m not a Patriots fan. I’m a Giants (and Jets) fan. This “scandal” is a complete non-issue. Oh noes, the Patriots messed with the ball PSI! What’s next, throw Aaron Rodgers out of the league for freely admitting to doing the same thing? ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2015, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/afc-and-nfc-conference-championship-games-nfl/710085/191 "2015-01-22T23:03:16Z")
Also, as a refresher on the Patriots reputation for cheating, Spygate was about a _procedural violation_, not about stealing signals. Every team in the league is allowed to steal signals from each other. There are even designated areas in a stadium where signal stealers are supposed to be. The Patriots violated procedure in two ways: 1) They didn’t stay in the designated signal-stealing location, and 2) They used video, which you aren’t allowed to do. The actual crime of stealing signals isn’t a crime at all. It’s perfectly within the rules. The Patriots just broke some minor procedural rules regarding _how_ you’re supposed to steal signals. Their “crime” was largely irrelevant. This “crime” is completely irrelevant. The only reason it and Spygate ever became an issue is because people hate the Patriots. EDIT: And yeah, Guin, as a Steelers fan, you’re hardly the epitome of objectivity regarding the Patriots. ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2015, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/afc-and-nfc-conference-championship-games-nfl/710085/192 "2015-01-22T23:12:36Z")
Everyone in Pittsburgh is a Steeler! (She does have a nice rack, tho.) ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2015, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/afc-and-nfc-conference-championship-games-nfl/710085/193 "2015-01-23T04:53:21Z")
[Here](http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/24/sports/football/eli-mannings-footballs-are-months-in-making.html?_r=0) is an article from November about how the Giants prepare game footballs for Eli. Nothing about inflating or deflating, but it offers context for the question about why the league allows teams to bring their own game balls. Some excerpts: > [@](#): > > For every N.F.L. game, each team has 12 to 20 balls that it has meticulously groomed and prepared according to the needs of its starting quarterback. The balls, brushed and primed using various obvious and semisecret techniques, bear the team logo and are switched out from sideline to sideline depending on which team is on offense. > […] > In the case of the Giants, preparing the game balls used from September to December begins in summer training camp. > […] > ■ The new ball is rubbed vigorously for 45 minutes with a dark brush, which removes the wax and darkens the leather. > > ■ Next, a wet towel is used to scour the ball until the ball’s outer surface is soaked through. > > “You’re not done until the ball is waterlogged and water will no longer bead on it,” Ed Skiba said. > > ■ While the ball is wet, it is brushed again. > > ■ Then the ball is taken over to an electric spin wheel, where it undergoes another high-speed scrubbing. > > At this point, the ball is put aside overnight. Then the process is repeated twice over the next couple of days. > […] > The rate of attrition in the prized collection of game balls is significant. Receivers catch touchdown passes and keep the balls for souvenirs. Balls are intercepted and taken to the opposing sideline. And the system is not perfect. Ball boys are supposed to make sure the balls are properly rotated during changes of possession, but there are glitches. > > When the Giants were at Kansas City earlier this year, safety Antrel Rolle picked off a pass and took the ball to the bench as a souvenir. It had a Giants logo on it. The Chiefs had apparently not substituted their ball when their offense came onto the field. No wonder it was intercepted. ---
**Author:** ![Idle\_Thoughts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2015, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/afc-and-nfc-conference-championship-games-nfl/710085/194 "2015-01-23T20:18:33Z")
> [@AncientHumanoid](#): > > (She does have a nice rack, tho.) This is inappropriate to this topic. Don’t make comments like this on here. ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2015, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/afc-and-nfc-conference-championship-games-nfl/710085/195 "2015-01-23T20:36:01Z")
> [@Idle\_Thoughts](#): > > This is inappropriate to this topic. Don’t make comments like this on here. Good grief. Now you’re just looking for things to mod. ---
**Author:** ![Idle\_Thoughts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2015, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/afc-and-nfc-conference-championship-games-nfl/710085/196 "2015-01-23T21:17:48Z")
> [@AncientHumanoid](#): > > Good grief. Now you’re just looking for things to mod. You may have missed it, but there was a fairly big thing on here about a year ago about comments like that that were unwanted by the posters they were to. It doesn’t matter if you think it’s a good joke or flattering comment or not, comments like that in topics not solely about that stuff are now modded. If you have any questions or concerns about it, feel free to make a topic in ATMB. ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2015, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/afc-and-nfc-conference-championship-games-nfl/710085/197 "2015-01-23T21:42:33Z")
I guess I did miss it. Talk about takin the air out of someone’s balls… 😉 In other news, I’m getting e-mails from all my FantFooseball buds with new sponsor ideas for Brady. [Number one idea.](http://www.hasbro.com/common/productimages/en_US/61659da95056900b1003f5d1ca3405b2/BA53D50F50569047F54FC6A6F4256F1A.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2015, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/afc-and-nfc-conference-championship-games-nfl/710085/198 "2015-01-23T23:12:02Z")
Apologies to Guinny… In other news, Yeah, I got nuthin [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/afc-and-nfc-conference-championship-games-nfl/710085.md?page=9)