INVESTIGATIVE REPORT CONCERNING FOOTBALLS USED DURING THE AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME ON JANUARY 18, 2015. A 243-page report released May 6, 2015 on the New England Patriots' "deflategate" controversy during the 2015 AFC Championship Game has found that "it is more probable than not that New England Patriots personnel" deliberately deflated footballs below the approved thresholds. #deflategate #Ballghazi
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INVESTIGATIVE REPORT CONCERNING FOOTBALLS USED
DURING THE AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME ON JANUARY 18, 2015
By:
PAUL, WEISS, RIFKIND, WHARTON & GARRISON LLP
Theodore V. Wells, Jr.
Brad S. Karp
Lorin L. Reisner
Dated: May 6, 2015
TABLE OF CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .......................................................................................................... 1
INVESTIGATIVE ACTIVITIES .................................................................................. 22
I.
Scope of Investigation........................................................................................... 22
A.
Witnesses Interviewed .......................................................................................... 24
B.
Materials Reviewed .............................................................................................. 29
C.
Expert Consultation .............................................................................................. 31
D.
BACKGROUND ............................................................................................................. 32
II.
Rules and Practices Regarding Footballs Used in NFL Games ............................ 32
A.
Playing Rule 2 ........................................................................................... 32
1.
Guidelines Concerning the Preparation of Footballs ................................ 33
2.
Pre-Game Review of Footballs by NFL Game Officials .......................... 36
3.
Ball Preparation Process Used by the New England Patriots ............................... 37
B.
Preparing the Shape and Surface .............................................................. 38
1.
Setting the Inflation Level ........................................................................ 39
2.
Selecting Footballs For Game Use ........................................................... 41
3.
Role of Jim McNally ................