[Hijinx]

Originally Posted by Defensewins

According the NFL rule book (link below), the refs are solely responsible to make sure all footballs comply. Also they mention each team provides 12 footballs, but the 12 footballs from visiting team will be backup footballs. Where did you get your information that the refs segregate the footballs by team? 12 for one team and 12 for another during play? I have NEVER heard of that. I have heard they have special designated footballs for kickers, but no mention that each can only use use the footballs they provided? What is your source? I am not saying you are wrong or calling you a liar, as you seem pretty emotional about this, but I am curious where you got your information? You might be right.?.? I don't claim to know.

http://static.nfl.com/static/content..._2013_Ball.pdf

" The Referee shall be the sole judge as to whether all balls offered for play comply with these specifications. A pump is to be furnished by the home club, and 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.
Section 2
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. The home team will also make 12 backup balls available for testing in all stadiums. In addition, the visitors, at their discretion, may bring 12 backup balls to be tested by the Referee for games
held in outdoor stadiums. 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.

What that says is that each team supplies their own balls and the ref checks them. Two hour prior to the game the ref checks them, but the balls supplied by each team is their own. Each is rubbed down and broken in how they want it to be, within the rules. Except for the K balls which are brand new.

Here is a Boston Globe story agreeing with what I said. NFL says Patriots used 11 under-inflated footballs - Sports - The Boston Globe