The New England Patriots’ recent loss to the Kansas City Chiefs has sparked a new controversy in the football world. Patriots coach Bill Belichick revealed that the kicking footballs used in the first half of the game were “underinflated by 2, 2½ pounds.” This revelation has raised questions about the fairness of the game and has once again put the spotlight on the issue of underinflated footballs.
While Belichick acknowledged that the Patriots were aware of the underinflated footballs, he emphasized that they had nothing to do with it. He stated, “We don’t have anything to do with it. Were we aware of it? Yeah, definitely… You’d have to talk to the league about what happened on that. That part of it, they control all that.” By distancing himself and the team from the issue, Belichick directed the focus towards the NFL, calling for an explanation.
According to league rules, kicking footballs are supposed to be between 12.5 and 13.5 pounds per square inch. The responsibility of ensuring the correct inflation falls on the officials, who are in possession of all the footballs leading up to the game. Referee Shawn Hochuli’s crew, who officiated the Chiefs-Patriots game, holds the responsibility in this case. However, the NFL has declined to comment on the matter, leaving many unanswered questions.
The Impact on the Game
Belichick pointed out specific plays in the game that were influenced by the underinflated footballs. He mentioned missed field goals and two kickoffs that almost went out of bounds as examples of the detrimental effects. Patriots players privately expressed their disappointment with the situation, acknowledging that the footballs’ improper inflation had affected both teams. However, individual players, such as the Chiefs’ Harrison Butker and the Patriots’ Chad Ryland, attributed their missed kicks to factors other than the air pressure in the football.
Butker, who had made all 23 of his field goal attempts prior to the game, believed that his 39-yard miss was due to a technique error rather than the underinflated football. He stated, “I think it was technique, one of those misfires that you wish you had back.” He noted that he had experienced similar situations in warmups and had successfully kicked “big kicks with flatter balls” in the past. Butker’s comment suggests that the underinflation may have had minimal impact on his performance.
Despite the underinflation, Butker said he could not tell that the footballs were underinflated during the game. He only became aware of the change in inflation level at halftime when officials informed him that the balls were “a little deflated.” Officials promptly addressed the issue by pumping up the footballs, a process that Butker described as routine. He also mentioned that weather conditions, such as cold weather, could affect the inflation level of footballs.
A Controversial History
The issue of inflated footballs became a major NFL story back in 2015 when the New England Patriots were fined $1 million, docked two draft picks, and quarterback Tom Brady was suspended for four games. The NFL determined that the Patriots had orchestrated a scheme to provide improperly inflated footballs for the AFC Championship Game against the Indianapolis Colts. In response, the NFL implemented strict protocols to ensure proper inflation of footballs used in games.
The Significance of Proper Inflation
The controversy over underinflated footballs highlights the importance of adhering to the rules and regulations set forth by the NFL. Properly inflated footballs ensure a fair and level playing field for all teams. Deviations from the standard inflation level can have a significant impact on the game, affecting the trajectory, distance, and accuracy of kicks. As such, it is crucial that officials diligently monitor and regulate the inflation of footballs to maintain the integrity of the sport.
The recent revelation of underinflated footballs during the Chiefs-Patriots game has once again thrust the issue into the public eye. It is clear that there are still unanswered questions regarding the responsibility and reasoning behind the underinflation. Nonetheless, this controversy serves as a reminder of the importance of fair play and adherence to the rules in the NFL. The impact of underinflated footballs on the game cannot be underestimated, as it can affect the outcome and fairness of matches. As the NFL continues to investigate and address this issue, it is crucial that steps are taken to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.