INDIANAPOLIS — Ryan Grigson is putting the ball squarely in the NFL’s court.
The Colts general manager has gone silent on the hottest topic in the NFL ahead of next week’s Super Bowl: whether the New England Patriots intentionally deflated footballs in Sunday’s 45-7 win over Indianapolis that gave them the AFC championship and a trip to Arizona to face the Seattle Seahawks.
“Everything, I’m sure, is going to come out in the investigation, guys. Like I said, it’s not appropriate for me to talk about. I can’t do that,” Grigson said Friday when asked if the Colts notified the league about a potential deflation problem. “It’s in the league’s hands. I’m sorry.”
Grigson spoke shortly before the NFL said that evidence shows the Patriots used under-inflated footballs during the first half of the game. The league said it wants to find out if “deliberate action” was to blame but provided no timetable for doing so.
Under-inflated balls in theory could provide an advantage because they would be easier to throw and catch.
There have been various reports as to how league officials became aware of the situation and whether the Colts tipped them off. Nobody in the Colts organization has confirmed those details.
Colts linebacker D’Qwell Jackson told reporters Thursday at the Pro Bowl that he gave the ball he intercepted to an equipment manager and he noticed no difference than other game balls. Jackson said he still hasn’t gotten the ball back.
And Grigson wanted nothing to do with the story.
“Before we get started, let me cut you off at the pass,” he said as he began the Colts’ annual postseason news conference. “It’s obviously, like I’ve told all you guys, it’s in the league’s hands. That’s where we’re at right now.”
Thumbnail photo via Andrew Weber/USA TODAY Sports Images
