According to a report on ESPN, 11 of the New England Patriots 12 game balls used Sunday in the win over the Colts were inflated significantly below the NFL’s requirements.
Should the report be true and given New England’s history of cheating under Bill Belichick (Spy-gate perhaps?) the Patriots are probably looking at a serious penalty, such as a loss of draft picks, in addition to a fine.
According to turn to ESPN Stats & Information here is a look at draft picks that have been forfeited for various reasons since 1980:
- 2011 Lions forfeit 7th-round pick for tampering with Chiefs players
- 2008 49ers forfeit 5th-round pick for tampering with Bears linebacker Lance Briggs
- 2008 Patriots forfeit 1st-round pick for Spy-gate scandal
- 2002-05 Broncos forfeit 2005 3rd-round pick, 2002 3rd-round pick for circumventing salary cap between 1996-98
- 2001-02 49ers forfeit 2002 3rd-round pick, 2001 5th-round pick for salary cap violations
- 2001 Steelers forfeit 3rd-round pick for exceeding 1998 salary cap
- 1986 Patriots forfeit 3rd-round pick for illegal use of injured reserve list
- 1981 Broncos forfeit 3rd-round pick for contract violations involving Bill Thompson
- 1981 Raiders forfeit 5th-round pick for illegally sequestering 2 players in 1978
- 1980 Eagles forfeit 3rd-round pick for holding illegal tryout
- 1980 Raiders forfeit 4th-round pick for evasion of player limit
Current and former players sounded off on twitter Wednesday:
There’s an Old saying Sports,”If You’re not cheating, you ain’t trying” #haveRegard
— Leon Washington (@Leon_Washington) January 21, 2015
U deflate balls for 3 reasons(esp. in cold) Easier 2 grip 2 throw, softer 2 catch, most importantly the other team isn’t prepared 4 it #Pats
— Marcellus Wiley (@marcelluswiley) January 21, 2015
That being said about #DeflateGate, the #Patriots were going to smoke the #Colts even if they played with Nerf Balls!
— Marcellus Wiley (@marcelluswiley) January 21, 2015
This is just an issue because it’s the Patriots. They won by 38. This doesn’t change the outcome of the game
— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) January 21, 2015
We could tweet deflated ball jokes till next years Super Bowl and it wouldn’t get old #SuperBowlXLIX #saggyballgate
— Thurman Thomas (@thurmanthomas) January 21, 2015
I gave #Patriots the benefit of the doubt, wow! And YES there is an advantage in cold weather for sure. #cheating http://t.co/GuFYnbIaqy
— JJ Birden (@jjbirden) January 21, 2015
QB’s are picky about fb’s and could tell you everything about their game balls. broken in to their liking. how it works. period.
— tim hasselbeck (@tthasselbeck) January 21, 2015
But it didn’t matter if we played with Nerf footballs on Sunday they straight out whooped us. We can give them credit for that.
— Erik Walden (@E_Ninety3) January 21, 2015
Every team tampers with the footballs. Ask any Qb In the league, this is ridiculous!!
— Matt Leinart (@MattLeinartQB) January 21, 2015
Well the Pats did have a few drops from “deflated footballs” if they were deflated
— Eric Weems (@ericweems) January 21, 2015
Football. The essential piece to play the sport has ben compromised. Thats a problem right?
— Jerry Azumah (@JerryAzumah) January 21, 2015
MORE: Deflating Balls Was Common Until 15 Years Ago Said Terry Bradshaw in Book
