# NFL: Underinflated Balls? **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [January 21, 2015, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-underinflated-balls/710515 "2015-01-21T20:17:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 22
**Author:** ![standingwave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@standingwave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/standingwave)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2015, 8:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-underinflated-balls/710515/421 "2015-05-07T08:37:58Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > They just make a mess with these rules. Get rid of them. Rules? In a sport? Why that’s anarchy! _“Without rules, we all might as well be up in a tree flinging our crap at each other.”_ —Red Forman ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2015, 10:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-underinflated-balls/710515/422 "2015-05-07T10:44:54Z")
I can only assume the infamous George Brett Pine Tar Scandal of Baseball will be reopened any day now. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2015, 11:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-underinflated-balls/710515/423 "2015-05-07T11:27:36Z")
I don’t understand why each team gets to supply its own balls. Put the league in charge of providing the balls at whatever pressure they please and be done with it. Under the current system, if you intercept a ball and run it in for a touchdown, do you get to keep it for a memento or do you have to give it back to the other team? ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2015, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-underinflated-balls/710515/424 "2015-05-07T12:37:14Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > I don’t understand why each team gets to supply its own balls. Put the league in charge of providing the balls at whatever pressure they please and be done with it. Agreed. The solution to someone cheating by breaking a rule is not to do away with the rule. That’s just dumb. > [@](#): > > Under the current system, if you intercept a ball and run it in for a touchdown, do you get to keep it for a memento or do you have to give it back to the other team? You keep it if you like. Or you notice that it is suspiciously under inflated and give it to your team’s equipment guy. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2015, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-underinflated-balls/710515/425 "2015-05-07T12:43:54Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > I suspect I’m wasting my time here. Still: _because he cheated, as the NFL investigation revealed_. I suspect your time would be better spent firming up your knowledge of the facts. I do notice you’ve quietly dropped the Belichick line, though, so there’s that. Not everyone can do that. ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2015, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-underinflated-balls/710515/426 "2015-05-07T12:49:20Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > I suspect your time would be better spent firming up your knowledge of the facts. I do notice you’ve quietly dropped the Belichick line, though, so there’s that. Not everyone can do that. And, once again because it didn’t stick last time, you of all people, who spent months spreading misinformation and making allegations against the Colts, should never be the one lecturing someone else about their knowledge of the facts. ---
**Author:** ![Fleetwood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fleetwood/32/271_2.png) [@Fleetwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fleetwood)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2015, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-underinflated-balls/710515/427 "2015-05-07T12:53:02Z")
We think he cheated. We can’t prove anything, but we think he cheated. At least that whiny b\*\*\*\* John (or Jim, can never tell them apart) Harbaugh is happy this morning. ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2015, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-underinflated-balls/710515/428 "2015-05-07T12:56:41Z")
> [@Fleetwood](#): > > We think he cheated. We can’t prove anything, but we think he cheated. There is a world of difference between “we think” and “we have evidence and here it is”. ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2015, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-underinflated-balls/710515/429 "2015-05-07T13:06:04Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > They just make a mess with these rules. Get rid of them. I would totally watch professional Calvinball! ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2015, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-underinflated-balls/710515/430 "2015-05-07T13:24:28Z")
> [@Fleetwood](#): > > We think he cheated. We can’t prove anything, but we think he cheated. Maddening, ain’t it? > [@](#): > > At least that whiny b\*\*\*\* John (or Jim, can never tell them apart) Harbaugh is happy this morning. Doesn’t matter, they’re both whiny bitches. 😉 The story of the Colts involvement, with all supporting claims, came from ESPN’s Adam Schefter, btw. It’s, um, _interesting_ to see him quoted here as having an opinion worth paying attention to. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2015, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-underinflated-balls/710515/431 "2015-05-07T14:32:22Z")
> [@fachverwirrt](#): > > First of all, that’s wrong; Payton not only knew, but tried to cover it up. I stand properly corrected. > [@](#): > > Second, equating a situation which involved several coaches and a whole bunch of players trading money in order to _deliberately injure other players_ to a situation where a couple of guys let some air out of some balls demonstrates a serious lack of perspective. I’m not equating the situations. I was equating the justification for punishment. That is, it occurred on their respective watches (except it didn’t, as I conceded above.) > [@aceplace57](#): > > Man up. Play the damn game. Don’t go running to the officials if you lose. Be man enough to say they beat us. Crying about your practices being filmed and under inflated balls. Quit whining and making excuses. Somehow, I suspect you’d be talking out of the other side of your mouth if a player was caught using steroids. > [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > I suspect your time would be better spent firming up your knowledge of the facts. I linked the report above, and you’ll forgive me if I don’t take advice about facts from you given your total refusal to acknowledge any. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2015, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-underinflated-balls/710515/432 "2015-05-07T14:45:52Z")
It’s now not just that he cheated, but that he lied to the league’s investigators. (Alternatively, I suppose it’s possible that the equipment people faked all of those texts that they provided to the league, in which case the team has a different problem). ---
**Author:** ![fachverwirrt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/94ad74/32.png) [@fachverwirrt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fachverwirrt)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2015, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-underinflated-balls/710515/433 "2015-05-07T15:40:33Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > I’m not equating the situations. I was equating the justification for punishment. That is, it occurred on their respective watches (except it didn’t, as I conceded above.) Concession acknowledged, and apologies for impugning your perspective. But even if Payton hadn’t known, I would argue that (severity of the offenses aside) that it is unreasonable to expect a coach to be aware of and responsible for every single interaction and activity of every person on his staff. The Saints Bounty scandal involved the defensive coordinator and as many as 20 or 30 players. This one involved one player and two low level equipment guys. I just don’t find it reasonable to hold the head coach responsible for that. [Lack of perspective](https://belindaschneider.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/picasso-sitting_woman_with_blue_hat_1944.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2015, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-underinflated-balls/710515/434 "2015-05-07T15:55:18Z")
Sure, it’s one player, but it’s not like the player is some guy who was just elevated from the practice squad to special teams. It’s Tom Brady. Still, your position is fair enough. I would not be surprised if the NFL does not penalize Belichick (and I certainly won’t be upset about it or anything.) ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2015, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-underinflated-balls/710515/435 "2015-05-07T15:58:23Z")
At the very least, Belichick’s punishment is that everyone will continue to look at his successes with a huge asterisk. ---
**Author:** ![fachverwirrt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/94ad74/32.png) [@fachverwirrt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fachverwirrt)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2015, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-underinflated-balls/710515/436 "2015-05-07T15:58:42Z")
And I probably won’t be upset if Belichick is given a token one-game suspension or something. Because, you know, it’s just football. PERSPECTIVE! (Sorry, I’m done.) ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2015, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-underinflated-balls/710515/437 "2015-05-07T19:28:58Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > I stand properly corrected. > > I’m not equating the situations. I was equating the justification for punishment. That is, it occurred on their respective watches (except it didn’t, as I conceded above.) > > Somehow, I suspect you’d be talking out of the other side of your mouth if a player was caught using steroids. > > I linked the report above, and you’ll forgive me if I don’t take advice about facts from you given your total refusal to acknowledge any. Well of course. Steroids is a known health risk. Both physically and mentally. Why in the world would you compare something trivial like air pressure in a football to steroid use? I fully understand every sport is defined by rules. What bugs me is when they over regulate with rules like observing other team’s practices and ball pressure. Now the NFL has managed to create another scandal with their own anal bullshit. Heck I bet Knute Rockne scouted other team’s practices. That’s basic strategy. You’d be a absolute fool not to scout your opponents. Scout their practices, watch their game film, do everything possible to prepare for a big game. You don’t need to regulate this stuff. Let teams scout each other. Let quarterbacks air up balls like they prefer for their unique handgrip. Keep it Simple. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2015, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-underinflated-balls/710515/438 "2015-05-07T19:52:13Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Well of course. Steroids is a known health risk. Both physically and mentally. Why in the world would you compare something trivial like air pressure in a football to steroid use? Because they’re both cheating, obviously. _Playing football_ is a known health risk. Beyond that, it’s rather disingenuous to distinguish steroids from other forms of cheating on the grounds that they are dangerous while simultaneously pining for the good ol’ days when players wore leather helmets. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2015, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-underinflated-balls/710515/439 "2015-05-07T20:00:17Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I fully understand every sport is defined by rules. Actually, the rest of your post suggests that you apparently don’t understand this at all. As **RNATB** points out, both steroids and ball tampering constitute cheating. Whether YOU happen to think that one of them is more important than the other does not change that fact. > [@aceplace57](#): > > Heck I bet Knute Rockne scouted other team’s practices. Yeah, let’s make that the standard for modern football: If Knute Rockne might have done it, it’s OK. :rolleyes: ---
**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:** [May 7, 2015, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-underinflated-balls/710515/440 "2015-05-07T21:49:58Z")
The air pressure of the football is a rule, but is breaking it really “cheating?” Uniform violations also break rules, but that isn’t cheating, right? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-underinflated-balls/710515.md?page=21) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-underinflated-balls/710515.md?page=23)