NFL Investigates Whether Steelers Deflated Football
The scandal that seemingly would never end is back again as there is another NFL story about a team using deflated footballs.
Only this time, much to the surprise of many, it doesn’t involve the New England Patriots. Instead, the Pittsburgh Steelers are the ones who were called out for supposedly using underinflated footballs — in the preseason, no less.
Eagles sideline reporter Howard Eskin said one of the footballs used by the Steelers in Thursday night’s game against Philadelphia “looked like a marshmallow” after an incomplete pass.
During #Eagles #steelers pre season game their was at least one Pittsburgh football found that was VERY deflated . The #NFL has the Football and is investigating. I saw the FB after incompletion and it was like a marshmallow. @SportsRadioWIP
— Howard Eskin (@howardeskin) August 10, 2018
The pass in question was by Steelers rookie Mason Rudolph and it came in the third quarter. The NFL did follow up with Eskin’s report and investigated that football and others.
But it appears there won’t be a “Deflategate 2: The Preseason Edition.”
Michael Signora, the NFL’s vice president of football communications, said in a statement Friday, “All footballs were in compliance with NFL rules following the pregame inspection process and all proper procedures were followed. In the third quarter, a football that was found to be defective was removed from play, will be sent back to Wilson for review.”
Thus, the football was “defective” and not deliberately deflated. There really would be no reason for a team to try to skirt the rules during a preseason game by underinflating a ball, and the NFL’s response satisfied Eskin.
I’ve now been told there have been defective FBs this pre season and although i clearly saw deflated FB i now believe it was not intentional and trust #NFL release. @SportsRadioWIP Deflated football found in Steelers-Eagles game – https://t.co/9wlkNIv3Mb https://t.co/4Hl7rEcB2l
— Howard Eskin (@howardeskin) August 10, 2018
Former Steelers backup quarterback Charlie Batch, who now calls preseason games for the team, blasted Eskin’s allegation as “fake news.”
What a bunch of crap. Ive been a part of the @steelers organization for over 15 years. The equipment crew takes pride in work. There's NO WAY that this is even remotely close to being true. #FakeNewshttps://t.co/wn7ZQbUWcv
— Charlie Batch (@CharlieBatch16) August 10, 2018
However, this isn’t the first time that the Steelers have been accused of using deflated footballs in a game.
In 2016, the Giants accused Pittsburgh of using deflated footballs after a Week 13 loss, although it was more of a verbal accusation and they never made a formal complaint.
NFL correct in saying no FORMAL complaint was FILED, Giants tested balls & informed the NFL they were under legal limit. Giants confirmed
— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) December 11, 2016
Commissioner Roger Goodell said he checked with the officiating staff for that game and dismissed the Giants’ informal argument that the balls were underinflated.
“We went back. We checked with the officials to make sure they checked the proper inflation,” he said. “They did that. The balls were retained in their control throughout the game from that point on. So the protocols were followed all the way.”
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