Just when you thought you didn't have to hear about Deflategate anymore...there may be a sequel. It appears the Pittsburgh Steelers used a deflated football during their preseason matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles Thursday.
The NFL is currently investigating. The football in question was reportedly used in the third quarter, with Steelers rookie Mason Rudolph in the game. Sideline reporter Howard Eskin states that the football was "like a marshmallow."
During #Eagles #steelers pre season game their was at least one Pittsburgh football found that was VERY deflated . The #NFL has the Football and is investigating. I saw the FB after incompletion and it was like a marshmallow. @SportsRadioWIP
The Steelers won the game, 31-14. Second-year receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster provided the highlight of the night on a deep pass from backup QB Landry Jones.
Get mossed! JuJu Smith-Schuster with a 71-yard touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles! pic.twitter.com/r3pKsFQmOZ
The original Deflategate occurred in the 2015 AFC Championship game, which the New England Patriots won, 45-7, against the Indianapolis Colts. Pats quarterback Tom Brady received a four-game suspension from the league after it completed an investigation. Additionally, the Patriots were fined $1 million and had to forfeit two draft picks, including a 2016 first-rounder.
Of course, that incident had bigger implications: the conference title was on the line, with the game's biggest star at the center of the moment. In this case, we're talking about a third-string quarterback playing in the third quarter of a preseason game. Still, it will be interesting to see if the league punishes Pittsburgh.
