NFL Lays out how footballs will be guarded in Super Bowl -- Security Today

NFL Lays out how footballs will be guarded in Super Bowl

By Matt Holden
Jan 30, 2015

The NFL will add extra security in order to watch over the footballs during Super Bowl XLIX, due to recent controversy surrounding the New England Patriots and whether or not the team tried to gain an advantage by deflating some of the balls.

In a typical NFL game each team has 12 footballs that they use. In the Super Bowl however, each team has 54.

"The thing with the Super Bowl is during the first half, we rotate footballs in as much as possible, because then those balls are used for charity and NFL auction," said Dean Blandino, the league's vice president of officiating. "So that's something that's been in place for many years at the Super Bowl."

An additional wrinkle will be added to the exchange between the NFL and each team regarding their footballs, in order to try and alleviate any potential wrong doing. In the days leading up to the game Tony Medlin will be in control of the balls. He is the equipment manager for the Chicago Bears, and therefore a neutral party.

About the Author

Matt Holden is an Associate Content Editor for 1105 Media, Inc. He received his MFA and BA in journalism from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. He currently writes and edits for Occupational Health & Safety magazine, and Security Today.

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