Wednesday January 21, 2015

// January 21st, 2015 // Daily News

11 of 12 Pats footballs underinflated

The NFL has found that 11 of 12 of the New England Patriots game balls were inflated significantly less than the NFL requires, league sources involved and familiar with the investigation of Sunday’s AFC championship game told ESPN.
Assuming the initial inspection was done correctly and weather wasn’t a factor, the Patriots should be punished for deflating footballs, writes Mike Reiss. Story
The investigation found the footballs were underinflated by 2 pounds per square inch of air less than what’s required by NFL regulations during the Pats’ 45-7 victory over the Indianapolis Colts, according to sources.
“We are not commenting at this time,” said Greg Aiello, the NFL’s senior vice president of communications.
Troy Vincent, the league’s senior executive vice president of football operations, told The Associated Press late Tuesday in response to this report that the “investigation is currently underway and we’re still awaiting findings.” He told ProFootballTalk.com earlier Tuesday that the NFL expected to wrap up its investigation in “two or three days.”
Yet to be determined is what, if any, penalties may be imposed upon Patriots. One source described the league as “disappointed … angry … distraught,” after spending considerable time on the findings earlier Tuesday.
Part of the investigation that still needs further vetting is how the 11 footballs became underinflated.
The game balls provided to each team for preparation were required to be inspected and approved by referee Walt Anderson two hours and 15 minutes before kickoff, then returned to a ball attendant.
No alteration of footballs is allowed once they are approved, under league rules and regulations.
The balls are required to be inflated between 12.5 and 13.5 pounds per square inch and weigh between 14 and 15 ounces.
The Patriots had 11 of their 12 game footballs under-inflated by 2 pounds of air less than what’s required by NFL regulations during the AFC championship game against the Colts, according to league sources.
“We have been in complete cooperation with the league and will continue to do so,” Patriots spokesman Stacey James said.
The NFL began looking into the issue not only because doctoring the footballs could provide a competitive advantage, but because it would compromise the integrity of the game.

Today’s Inspiration

Hang On ’til Joy Comes!

by Joyce Meyer – posted January 21, 2015

Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.
— Psalm 30:5

I gained an excellent piece of wisdom through personal experience: Do not be afraid of pain! As strange as it may seem, the more you dread and resist the pain of healing, the more you increase the effect that pain has upon you.

An example of this truth happened years ago when I went on a fast for the first time in my life. God called me to a twenty-eight-day juice fast. In the beginning, I went through some really hard times. I was very, very hungry. In fact, I was so famished that I was in actual pain. As I cried out to the Lord, complaining that I just could not stand it any longer, He answered me. Deep within me I heard the “still small voice” (1 Kings 19:12 KJV) of the Lord say to me, “Stop fighting the pain; let it do its work.” From that time on, the fast was much easier, even enjoyable, because I knew that every time I felt discomfort, it was a sign of progress.

The rule is that the more pain is resisted, the stronger it becomes. When a pregnant woman goes into labor, the advice she is given by her attendants is, “Relax.” They know that the more she fights the pain, the stronger it will become, and the longer the delivery process will take.

When you are experiencing pain, do not fight it. Allow it to accomplish its purpose. Remember this promise, They who sow in tears shall reap in joy and singing. (Psalm 126:5) Learn to endure whatever you need to, knowing that there is joy on the other side!

Comments are closed.