NFL Announces New Rules After 'Deflategate,' No Word On Tom Brady Suspension

The NFL has announced new procedures for checking the inflation of footballs, following this past year's Deflategate scandal. The new rules specifically indicate where the balls are to be held and create random pressure testing. It's unclear how these new rules may affect quarterback Tom Brady as he waits for word on his appeal over punishment for his involvement in Deflategate.

Deflategate happened in January when allegations came out that the New England Patriots deflated their footballs on their march towards winning the Super Bowl. Deflating footballs can make it easier for quarterbacks to get a grip on and throw the ball.

The Patriots were fined $1 million and quarterback Brady was suspended for four games with no pay for being aware of the deflation. Brady appealed the suspension and has been waiting weeks to hear the appeal outcome. An 11-hour hearing was held on June 23 but NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has yet to announce his decision. The decision could be to keep, reduce or overturn Brady's suspension. If the punishment isn't erased, reports say Brady will sue the NFL in Federal Court.

With the NFL's new procedures announced and in place for the start of the season in the fall, some people are suggesting that Brady's case might now be easier. Inside Slant's Kevin Seifert said that the new rules "undermine the league's attempts to penalize the Patriots." The new rules, Seifert says, could help prove that the NFL didn't have enough information to punish Brady.

The new rules from the NFL include stricter procedures. A "kicking ball coordinator" at each game will now be responsible for all footballs after they're approved by officials - previously they were only responsible for six balls. Balls will be randomly tested at halftime and as well as after the game. In terms of recordings, officials will number a team's balls from one through 12 and record the PSI info from each ball.

Back in May, Jon Stewart ripped into Brady for Deflategate: