Seahawks' Richard Sherman: 'Nothing's going to happen' after Deflategate

Tom Pelissero | USA TODAY Sports

Show Caption Hide Caption Will Goodell punish Patriots over Deflategate? USA TODAY Sports NFL reporter Tom Pelissero discusses the controversy.

Seattle Seahawks star Richard Sherman doesn't think it would've had much effect if the New England Patriots did, in fact, deflate footballs used in last week's AFC Championship Game win over the Indianapolis Colts.

Even if it did, Sherman said Wednesday he doesn't buy the notion any NFL discipline would mpact Super Bowl XLIX, in which the Seahawks are scheduled to face the Patriots on Feb. 1 in Glendale, Ariz.

"If it's against the rules, it's against the rules," Sherman told news reporters. "But you see it's not going to have any effect on this game. Nobody's going to get suspended. Nothing's going to happen. They're going to play this game.

"Whatever they did, the risk-reward was greater."

The NFL is investigating whether the Patriots knowingly used game balls that fell below the required inflation limits of 12½ to 13½ pounds per square inch. Citing "league sources either involved or familiar with the investigation," ESPN reported Tuesday night that 11 of the Patriots' 12 game balls Sunday were underinflated by 2 psi.

Sherman, the outspoken all-pro cornerback, connected the issue to the NFL telling Seattle teammate Marshawn Lynch he wouldn't be allowed to wear gold cleats as planned for last weekend's NFC title triumph over the Green Bay Packers. Lynch's shoes violated the NFL's uniform code.

"That really affects the game, if you suspend Marshawn for gold shoes," Sherman said. "But then you've got balls being deflated and that's the issue."

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers said on his radio show Tuesday that he prefers balls that are more inflated and thinks the NFL shouldn't have a maximum. Other quarterbacks find a less-inflated ball easier to grip and throw, particularly in bad weather.

Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson said he's not picky "(j)ust as long as they have laces. As long as the football has laces, I'm good to go."

Sherman has 24 career interceptions, plus two in this year's playoffs. Asked if any of the balls were underinflated, Sherman joked, "I'd have to go back to my collection and check 'em now. I don't know. I've got to see if there are pounds missing or anything like that.

"But no, I've never heard of that, and I'm not sure anything will come of it, honestly, if it's true or if it's not true. I mean, it didn't have much effect on the game, if any. If it did, then, whatever."

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