NEW YORK — The NFL is investigating whether the New England Patriots deflated footballs that were used in their AFC championship game victory over the Indianapolis Colts.
"We are looking into it," league spokesman Brian McCarthy wrote in an email to The Associated Press. "We do not have anything further to add at this point."
The inquiry was first reported by the website for WTHR-TV in Indiana, citing an unnamed source.
"We'll cooperate fully with whatever the league wants us to, whatever questions they ask," Belichick said during his regular conference call with reporters. He said he was unaware there was an issue until Monday morning.
According to the NFL rule book, home teams are responsible for furnishing playable balls at all times. Each team brings 12 primary balls, while home teams are required also to bring 12 backup balls.