No it did not! Repeat...the NFL's statement DID NOT say the refs did their job (with respect to the footballs). Here is the excerpt from their statement which pertains:
"The investigation began based on information that suggested that the game balls used by the New England Patriots were not properly inflated to levels required by the playing rules, specifically Playing Rule 2, Section 1, which requires that the ball be inflated to between 12.5 and 13.5 pounds per square inch. Prior to the game, the game officials inspect the footballs to be used by each team and confirm that this standard is satisfied, which was done before last Sunday’s game."
Notice the tense of the word "inspect"...it was purposely written that way to connote the process typically used by officials...in accordance with League expectations. What wasn't explained, is what they mean by the term "confirm that this standard is satisfied", as has been pointed out by many on this forum. Lawyers wrote this statement, which is why you have to analyze every word...and the parsing of said words...to fully understand their intent. Otherwise the last sentence would have read like this:
"Prior to the game on Sunday, the game officials inspected the footballs to be used by each team and confirmed that the Patriot footballs all measured at least 12.5 psi, thereby satisfying the standard."
