#DeflateGate: NFL Investigating Reports that Patriots Deflated Footballs in AFC Championship Game

The New England Patriots are saying reports that they deflated footballs in the AFC title game Sunday are full of hot air.

The Patriots demolished the Indianapolis Colts 45-7 to punch their ticket to the Super Bowl.

Indiana TV station WHTR broke the story that the NFL is now investigating reports that the Patriots cheated by deflating footballs. Deflated footballs can be easier to throw and catch—especially in rainy weather. It rained for most of Sunday’s game.

Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, who threw three touchdowns in the rout, called the accusations “ridiculous.”

“I think I’ve heard it all at this point,” Brady told Boston radio station WEEI Monday morning.

The outcome of Sunday’s game would not be affected if the reports are found to be true. The Patriots could be punished with a loss of draft picks, according to WHTR’s Bob Kravitz.

#DeflateGate was a trending topic on Twitter Monday.

This isn’t the first time the Patriots have been accused of cheating. In 2007, team employees videotaped New York Jets coaches during a game—something that’s prohibited under NFL rules. The “Spygate” incident led to the league fining Patriots coach Bill Belicheck $500,000 and forcing the team to forfeit a draft pick.

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