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The NFL has published its current rules for preparing footballs for games. Here’s a synopsis of the six regulations:
- Both teams are required to provide 24 footballs — 12 primary and 12 back-up balls - to officials, who will inspect them and record the PSI measurement of each ball. All balls will be deflated or inflated to 13.0 PSI. The process will be monitored by a League security official.
- Every game ball and back-up ball "will be stamped with the Referee's distinctive mark at the corners of each non-insignia panel." Each ball's number will also be at that location.
- A chain of custody is established, with security officials overseeing the transfer of the balls from one location to another.
- The game-day footballs will be tested randomly at designated games. After the PSI results are recorded, the measured balls will be "secured and removed from play." Furthermore, "for these randomly selected games only, the back-up footballs will be used for each team during the second half. After the game, all the game balls from each team "will be inspected and the results will be recorded."
- The information gathered on game balls are to be recorded in a certain way and submitted to the League office by noon on the day after the game.
- Wilson Sporting Goods is charged with certifying all the gauges prior to each measuring session. There are a few other rules involving gauges, including the requirement that the same gauge is used "for pregame, halftime and postgame testing."
