Billy Nye ‘The Science Guy’ Debunks Bill Belichick’s DeflateGate Theory
Bill Nye “The Science Guy” has publicly debunked Bill Belichick’s explanation as to what caused the infamous “DeflateGate” scandal. During a press conference, the head coach of the New England Patriots blamed “climate conditions” and “equilibrium” for the under-inflated balls. However, Nye said Belichick’s theory “doesn’t make any sense.”
The DeflateGate controversy began with the January 18 AFC Championship game between the New England Patriots and the Indianapolis Colts. Following the game, which the Patriots won with a score of 45-7, the Patriots were accused of providing under-inflated footballs.
As reported by CNN, the Patriots provided one dozen balls per NFL regulations. Although the pressure was tested prior to the start of the game, NFL officials later determined 11 of the balls, which were used during the game, “were under-inflated by about 2 pounds per square inch each.”
The pressure is incredibly important, as under-inflated footballs are easier to grip, and would therefore provide an unfair advantage.
Amid the investigation, Coach Belichick has vehemently denied any knowledge or wrongdoing in the DeflateGate scandal.
On January 24, the coach called a press conference to provide a possible explanation for the under-deflated balls. As reported by NBC Sports, Belchick blamed the footballs’ equilibrium.
“We found that once the footballs were on the field over an extended period of time… they were adjusted to the climatic conditions and also the fact that the footballs reached an equilibrium without the rubbing process, that after that had run its course and the footballs had reached an equilibrium, that they were down approximately one-and-a-half pounds per square inch.”
Although the theory seems plausible, Bill Nye said it simply “doesn’t make any sense.” During an appearance on Sunday’s Good Morning America, Bill Nye “The Science Guy” publicly debunked Coach Belichick’s explanation.
During the interview, Nye explained that climate and the “rubbing process” are unlikely to change the pressure inside a football. In his opinion, “to really change the pressure… you need an inflation needle.”
If found guilty of tampering with the footballs, the Patriots will be punished with a fine. However, the team would not be disqualified from playing in the Super Bowl.
Although there is concern that DeflateGate altered the outcome of the championship game, CNN reports that it is “unlikely,” as the Patriots scored 28 of their 45 points in the second half “after the game officials had pumped the balls back to their regulation pressure.”
Bill Nye’s statement is certain to gain a lot of attention and create even more controversy in the DeflateGate scandal. However, Coach Belichick said he is ready to move forward and focus on the Super Bowl.
