Inflated or deflated? That is the question. The NFL is continuing its investigation into the allegations that the Patriots deflated footballs during their AFC Championship win over the Colts. The query was sparked when Colts linebacker D'Qwell Jackson intercepted a ball in the second quarter of the game. Jackson apparently felt the ball was under-inflated and notified the team's equipment manager. Other reports say when he handed the ball off to an equipment manager, they noticed it was not inflated properly. Either way "deflategate" has been born in the NFL. The league office continues to investigate.

In the NFL, the league office does not supply the game balls, as is done in Major League Baseball. Each team is responsible for providing 12 game balls, and to have a backup 12 balls in reserve. The teams are allowed to use the balls they provide while on offense.

So, what is the benefit of using an under-inflated ball? In wet and damp conditions, it makes the ball easier to grip by the quarterback. Normally the balls each team uses would never be touched by the defensive team unless there was a turnover.

The interesting detail to this story, is that a representative from the league office, the Umpire, touches the ball before every play. He is responsible for putting the ball on the spot at the line of scrimmage. In addition to that, before the game, each ball supplied is inspected by the officiating crew, and in this case they all appeared to pass.

No word yet as to when the investigation will be completed.

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