The refs did check the Colts footballs.
When? Where? How many times?
Reporters are 0 for 3 in determining the answers to those so far.
Supposedly, the footballs from both teams were checked and found to have no problems.
I’ve read from various sources that the Colts’ footballs WERE checked and within range, whereas the Patriots were not (at half time).
Also, checking the pressure was supposedly scheduled for halftime. Reading between the lines, I’d say the Ravens complaint from the week before of not having properly inflated KICKING balls, was the reason. Whether it was info passed directly from the Ravens or through the Colts coaching staff, who knows. The playing balls were in fact found to be below specs. In one report, there was info that a new guage was used to do the pressure check at half time. (The gauges that the refs use in the pregame check are provided by the home team.)
I seriously doubt anyone would have found out about the deflated balls if a reporter had not leaked it. The NFL is not showing they plan on getting to the bottom of what happened. As of yesterday, they had yet to interview Brady.