I've been trying to get down to the cold hard facts of the rules. Which nfl.com has changed significantly since deflation gate became a thing so its hard to get them right now.
Lets start with ball supply.
Each team will make 12 primary balls available for testing by the Referee two hours and 15 minutes prior to the starting time of the game to meet League requirements.
So the balls are actually tested right at 2 hours and 15 minutes but they should be available by then.
For all games, eight new footballs, sealed in a special box and shipped by the manufacturer to the Referee, will be opened in the officials’ locker room two hours and 15 minutes prior to the starting time of the game. These balls are to be specially marked by the Referee and used exclusively for the kicking game
The kicking balls are not prepared by the team but are prepared by officials. Sorry John Hardballs
In the event a home team ball does not conform to specifications, or its supply is exhausted, the Referee shall secure a proper ball from the visitors and, failing that, use the best available ball. Any such circumstances must be reported to the Commissioner
So this seems as if the commissioner gets notified in any circumstance. Doesn't matter if its one ball or all the balls.
Now the big one ball pressure
The Referee shall be the sole judge as to whether all balls offered for play comply with these specifications.
So its it up to the ref to be the "sole" judge to whether they comply. Clearly, at half time they decided they didn't comply.
A pump is to be furnished by the home club,
The NFL knows some of the balls will lose pressure through out the course of the game. Or else why would the home team have to provide a pump.
The balls shall remain under the supervision of the Referee until they are delivered to the ball attendant just prior to the start of the game.
This is the big one. Rule 2 section 1. These balls should be under the supervision of the refs until game time. I see some people saying that they give them back to the home team. Nope under supervision.
The ball shall be made up of an inflated (12 1/2 to 13 1/2 pounds) urethane bladder enclosed in a pebble grained, leather case
This is where I think belichick pushed the rules. He fills the ball up to 12.5 exactly. Knowing about how the temp will make them drop below and the officials probably wont notice and if they do no big deal go and fill them up again. Now keep in mind maybe he gets cocky and says lets use hot air because it doesn't say we can't use air that's 90 degrees to fill the ball up. It measures out right and then all the balls deflate to the exact same 2 PSI drop. (Except for the 1 thats for edelman to throw a TD with)
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