Giants Reportedly Alerted NFL About Deflated Footballs vs. Steelers in Week 13

The NFL may have another Deflategate scandal on its hands after the New York Giants reportedly made the league aware of multiple footballs being below the mandated PSI level during their Week 13 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Fox Sports' Jay Glazer reported the news on Dec. 11:

However, the NFL denied Glazer's report, saying, "All footballs were in compliance and no formal complaint was filed by the Giants with our office," per Tom Pelissero of USA Today.

Glazer later added that the NFL was correct that no formal complaint was filed, though the Giants tested the footballs and informed the league of the issue. Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reported that one ball that was tested recorded a 11.4 PSI and another was 11.8, with the minimum limit being 12.5. 

"We used Nerf balls," Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger told reporters when asked about the report. "Left my pump at home," said Giants coach Bob McAdoo when asked about the report, per Jordan Raanan of ESPN.

On Wednesday, Giants owner John Mara told reporters that the story is "much ado about nothing." Steelers owner Dan Rooney later told reporters that he agrees with Mara.

Because of the relationship the two ownerships share, it's unlikely anything will come from the PSI issue, per Bleacher Report's Jason Cole.

It took the NFL 18 months to close the book on the situation involving the New England Patriots' alleged deflation of footballs during the AFC Championship Game against the Indianapolis Colts in January 2015.

The league hired criminal law attorney Ted Wells to conduct an independent investigation into that scandal. His report determined that Patriots locker room attendant Jim McNally and equipment manager John Jastremski attempted to release air from footballs during the game and that quarterback Tom Brady was aware of their actions.

The NFL fined the Patriots $1 million and took away two draft picks, including their first-round selection in 2016.

Brady was also suspended four games, though he appealed his punishment and even took his case to the Second U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals before he accepted the ban and sat out the first four games of this season.

Glazer noted that he doesn't think the situation involving the Steelers will require a congressional hearing or the involvement of Wells.

The Steelers defeated the Giants 24-14.