- Joined
- Dec 21, 2004
- Messages
- 5,863
- Reaction score
- 753
In reading through the comments on a scientific website that was referenced a little earlier this week (and which I can't seem to find now), I was intrigued to read how little a temperature change that, using the worst assumptions, would allow for the 11 footballs to have averaged above 11.32 PSI. The actual average using worst case assumptions was 11.11 PSI. That temperature change needed to get the 11.32 PSI reading down below 11.11 is 5 degrees.
In other words, the supposed deflation of footballs was so minimal that it's impact is equivalent to playing in temperatures 5 degrees colder. And yet football games are played in wildly varying conditions all the time.
So, does varying football pressure impact the integrity of the game? Or does it not? The NFL seems to be saying that what corresponds to a 5 degree temperature difference impacts the integrity of the game in an incredibly major way based on their penalties.
I just thought that this was worth pointing out. If someone better versed in science can verify what I read (and even include a link to the comments I can no longer find), that would be great and I will update as needed.
In other words, the supposed deflation of footballs was so minimal that it's impact is equivalent to playing in temperatures 5 degrees colder. And yet football games are played in wildly varying conditions all the time.
So, does varying football pressure impact the integrity of the game? Or does it not? The NFL seems to be saying that what corresponds to a 5 degree temperature difference impacts the integrity of the game in an incredibly major way based on their penalties.
I just thought that this was worth pointing out. If someone better versed in science can verify what I read (and even include a link to the comments I can no longer find), that would be great and I will update as needed.