Community Chat

[Kalli]

So, if there's only a small fine and loss of a draft pick, they still get to play in the big game.

Who cares about the draft right now? All they care about is having the chance to wear that SB victory ring. (and everything else that goes with winning the Super Bowl.)

-Kalli

[faeriemoon]

I don't get why the teams have to bring their own balls (); shouldn't the league itself supply the balls.

[Qwackertoo]

On 1/21/2015 faeriemoon said:

I don't get why the teams have to bring their own balls (); shouldn't the league itself supply the balls.

Just a very WILD guess . . . but I'd think the league wouldn't want to pay for them, 32 teams and what 12 games per team per season plus playoffs and that the team have to pay for them and many probably get autographed and given away to fans or VIP's.

Maybe that will change.

?

[mewsmomtoo]

Thank goodness for the Kitten Bowl on the Hallmark Channel and the Puppy Bowl on Animal Planet! :-)

[sunshine45]

On 1/21/2015 faeriemoon said:

I don't get why the teams have to bring their own balls (); shouldn't the league itself supply the balls.

found this on a blog and cannot guarantee its accuracy (lol, just a disclaimer)

The NFL sends about 30 balls to each team for each game the week before the game; these are the quarterback balls. The equipment guys are allowed to break them in (within reason - the NFL doesn't like super beat up footballs appearing on TV) to the specifications the quarterbacks want. Some guys like more tackiness, some guys like smoother, whatever. These balls have the team name on them so the quarterbacks get the ball they want during the game.

The 12 K-balls (kicking balls) are unwrapped the day of the game and the equipment guys get 45 minutes to try to break them in (fun fact- before Tony Romo dropped that field goal snap and complained about the ball grease they only had 15 minutes) as much as possible - they're allowed to use a stiff brush and a sink of water. Both teams will use these balls for kicking, they cycle between ball 1 and ball 2 every kick (the balls are also numbered from 1-12). The equipment guys can generally only break in balls 1-4, so if you lose a couple you're going to face a much tougher time kicking during the game.

and here is an article about the balls eli manning uses and how they are prepped:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/24/sports/football/eli-mannings-footballs-are-months-in-making.html?p...

[Qwackertoo]

Interesting, sunshine. Will be curious how this all shakes out with fines and such.

[makeup addict]

The fine and the lost of a draft pick is a slap onthe wrist. They or another team is going to do this again because the consequences are not that harsh. I say let the colts play the Suoer Bowl.

[SydneyH]

No way in Hades will the NFL rule the Colts eligible for the SuperBowl.

[RainCityGirl]

I personally don't understand why they have regulations if people ignore them and do as they please because they know there aren't dire consequences. If "everybody" messes with the balls, then throw the stupid regulation out. Otherwise, do more than just slap them on the wrist. A little fine here and there is a drop in the bucket given the salaries of these guys. I am a Seahawk fan and don't really care which team they play, but it would be poetic justice if the Patriots had their chance taken away. Naturally, I want to see Brady go down in flames at the Super Bowl, but it's just a game, so my life won't be affected one way or the other by whoever wins.

[makeup addict]

I dont understand why the footballs are nit locked up by a referee until they are needed.