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.
Facebook Twitter Google+ LinkedIn
32 Comments Print
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.
The NE coach has got to be banned from the game for life.
The difference there being it’s one of Peyton’s coaches offering bounties in the locker room, where you would generally expect Peyton to be but apparently never was during the “important” parts. Game balls are generally left up to the QB to pick and manipulate preferably within the bounds of the rules but you generally don’t have the coach saying “I know you like them at 12.5 but I think you should inflate them to 13”. The balls are treated kind of like padding, very player preference.
The team that has the field brings out their own balls. If you watched, Brady brought out his own ball whenever he takes the field.............
Exactly. The properly inflated balls were used AFTER halftime, when the Pats rolled over the Colts with four touchdowns.
I think Belichick is a cheater, but if those balls were inflated in a warm locker room and the got real cold, the laws of thermodynamics may have had something to do with it!
Bring Josh McDaniels Brady's QB coach into the picture, who has a track record of gaming the system, and I think Madden is on to something ...
Won’t happen. He’s a HOF coach for sure and if he’s banned, like Pete Rose was from MLB, then all his records go with him, or get a ‘*’ by each one in the record books. They will not do that, and it will just be a fine and a suspension and loss of a draft pick or two. Hand slap...................
Each team has its own footballs.
It one team deflates its footballs and the other team doesn’t do the same to its, there is a decided imbalance.
A deflated football is not only easier to catch, it is easier for a runner to grip and easier for a passer to grip and throw.
When a team is on offense its footballs would be used.
Not only did Brady have to know, but his mates who run with or catch the ball, as well as the snapper - these also had to know.
***Can someone explain why this is worthy of news?***
No;)
Seems to me the NFL should supply the footballs to the umpire/referees before every game. Do tennis players bring their own balls, do soccer teams, do volley ball & basketball teams???????
Does anyone see the problem here???
I am sure the NFL is dismayed that there is some controversy generating buzz before the superbowl.
As far as refs knowing or not knowing, I am thinking this stuff is pretty common and the refs have always just went along with it. I mean every single ball but one where set up this way, presumably the one that wasn’t was for kicking. That doesn’t strike me as the procedure one would use if there is even a remote chance that the refs considered altering them too big a deal. Then a player complained, and like in baseball with a pitcher loading or scuffing balls only then do they start to take an interest.
Freegards
The very bad playing of the Colts isn’t the issue, the possible cheating is. If the Pats are so great, why do they need to cheat, if they did? It’s the sanctity of the game and obeying the rules of the game that is the issue. The Colts would have lost most likely any way.................
One answer..45 to 7. Next thing you know they will be hollerin about doctored baseballs.
What a crock. As if they all dont try to get an edge. The spy thing New England got nailed for has been going on for ages.
Patriots did very little punting in that game
The balls are supposed to be within +/- 0.5 psi. They were 2 psi low. The temperature at game time was 51°F and the balls were inspected 2 hours before game time..............
Two things refute that theory ... game time temperature at kick-off was 51 degrees, second, the Colts balls were also checked by the officials and all were properly inflated.
It was actually warm that day. Rained in the 2nd half.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.