Report: Patriots staffer tried to put unapproved 'K ball' in AFC title game

A New England Patriots staffer tried to hand an official an unapproved kicking ball during the AFC Championship Game, ESPN reports. 

Jim McNally, a Patriots locker room attendant, "tried to give the unapproved football to an alternate official who was in charge of the special teams footballs," according to the report.

The footballs used by the offenses are different from the ones used in the kicking game. Before the game, all balls are inspected by an official and marked to indicate that they have been approved. The ball McNally reportedly tried to insert into the game did not have that mark. ESPN's report does not note whether the ball in question was improperly altered in any way. 

The Most Talked-About Footballs in NFL History

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With the NFL investigation into Deflategate concluding that it is probable the Patriots deliberately deflated footballs and that Tom Brady was "generally aware," here is a gallery of the most talked-about footballs in NFL history, beginning with Brady looking to pass in the first quarter against the Indianapolis Colts.

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Tom Brady gestures before the snap in the first quarter against the Indianapolis Colts.

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Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola cannot catch a pass while being defended by Darius Butler during the first half.

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Tom Brady hands the ball off to LeGarrette Blount in the first quarter.

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Tom Brady throws a pass in the first quarter.

Matt Slocum/AP

Tom Brady looks to pass during the first half.

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Shane Vereen makes a catch in the first quarter against Jerrell Freeman.

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Shane Vereen makes a catch in the first quarter against Jerrell Freeman.

Matt Slocum/AP

Rob Gronkowski cannot make a catch in the end zone over Colts cornerback Greg Toler during the first half.

Charles Krupa/AP

Julian Edelman tries to make a catch during the first half.

Julio Cortez/AP

Indianapolis Colts inside linebacker D'Qwell Jackson intercepts a pass intended for Rob Gronkowski during the first half.

Julio Cortez/AP

D'Qwell Jackson intercepts a pass intended for Rob Gronkowski.

Elise Amendola/AP

D'Qwell Jackson is congratulated by teammates after his interception.

Julio Cortez/AP

Julian Edelman is tackled by cornerback Darius Butler during the first half.

Al Bello/Getty Images

James Develin scores a touchdown in the first quarter.

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James Develin celebrates his first-quarter touchdown.

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Julian Edelman runs with the ball against Greg Toler.

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LeGarrette Blount runs with the ball in the first quarter.

Jim Rogash/Getty Images

Tom Brady looks to pass in the first half against the Colts.

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Tom Brady runs for a first down in the second quarter.

Al Tielemans/SI

An official has a ball handed to him during the AFC title game.

Matt Slocum/AP

Tom Brady has a ball tossed to him during warmups before the AFC Championship game.

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According to ESPN, McNally was interviewed by the investigators the NFL hired to look into allegations that the Patriots used under-inflated footballs in the AFC Championship Game against the Colts.

At a press conference on Jan. 24, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick attributed the low pressure levels of the footballs to atmospheric conditions. Quarterback Tom Brady denied altering the balls "in any way" on Jan. 22. 

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- Dan Gartland