Conference Championship thread

[Hijinx]

Originally Posted by donofriose

Is there any reason why the NFL doesn't handle the balls? I just don't understand what they were expecting.

At one time the home team supplied new or game ball condition balls to the officials a few hours prior to kick off. Each home team supplied either 48 or 36 balls depending on whether the game was in a dome. The refs would measure the PSI and when they walked out to the field would give the balls to 4 ball boys, hired by the home team.

In the late 90's several stories went around about strange treatment of balls (baking, soaking, microwaving, sanding, steaming, etc.) So in 1994 put in a fine of $15k for tampering with a football. Also Kickers were getting a high rate of touchbacks and FG%. (in '98 Gary Anderson had a perfect season.

So in 1999, NFL put in the "K ball". Twelve brand new Wilson Footballs, sealed in tamper proof tape, would be delivered to the officials. The refs would brush and rub these balls. And the regular balls could be pre-rubbed, but new. Turns out the Refs didn't rub the balls enough or at all. So in 2002 they allowed the home team's 4 ball boys, 20 mins to rub all the non K balls.

Then in 2007 Romo fumbled a FG attempt, that was blamed partly on how shiny and new the K-ball was. So the NFL hired 16 "K ball coordinators" to travel to games and rub all the footballs and possess them during the game. Also the visitor's team could supply their own balls, and 2 ball boys. Both teams were now given 45 mins prior to the ref's measuring the balls.

So the balls are watched/measured prior to kickoff, but during the game they are held by ball boys or on the sideline with equipment personnel. Both of which are hired by the teams.