There is no valid reason why this should occur in a professional sport. - Johnny

I did some homework on this, because when I learned about all of it, it too, made no flipping sense and I didnt understand why the refs don't have their own pile of "official sanctioned balls" or whatever, and it basically boils down to: it's Peyton Manning's fault. (Quick research, don't quote me on that.) But apparently the refs DID used to have their own balls, but Manning fought for the right for each team offense being able to prep the balls however way they prefer it; hence, the reason for all this crap. Fascinating stuff. And dumb, IMO. I mean, everyone should just be forced to use the same balls, whatever sport it is, done and done. Did Muggsy Bogues complain that the basketball was too big for his hands and demand smaller bballs? No... - Miriella

A few QBs were part of it (including Brady and Manning) because they like different types of texture I guess. It's still dumb, they survived before they got to customize their balls. - Heather

I can get that they wanted a specific texture but the fact they aren't handed off to an independent official for pressure testing beforehand is mind boggling. - Johnny

They are Johnny. Each team submits the balls for measuring and they are approved of. The problem is that there is an acceptable range of pressures and as long as each ball falls within that range, they are good. Some QBs like balls at the lowest, some like it at the highest. It's all personal taste. The pressures are not recorded though, they just get a yes or a no. Also, the rule that Brady and Manning fought to change was that each HOME team provided balls for both teams. The refs weren't in charge of the balls at any point in recent history, to my knowledge. - Chris Topher

That's the thing, I wouldn't call that professional pressure testing. Professional testing is taking each ball, filling it to a predetermined pressure then handing it off to an official to administer the balls when required. You don't get to pick which pressure you prefer. This shit is just clown shoes. It just invites either abuse or questions. - Johnny

The only sport where I could draw a comparison is tennis where each player can reject a ball and send it back to the ball people for a new one if the pressure isn't right. That being said, it's from a selection of independently sourced balls and they are cycled for new balls during the match. How did anyone not think issues like this would arise? - Johnny

I do agree that having ONE pressure would solve a lot of things. - Chris Topher

Gonna have to teach these guys Rugby, Johnny - Mo Kargas

Now that you brought up the tennis ball comparison, I'm curious what the rules are about golf balls. - COMPLICATED MR. NOODLE

I just looked at USGA website apparently they test then publish a list of "conforming" equipment. I think I also saw that golfer uses one ball per round. - WarLord

They use one type of ball but can swap individual ones out at the end of each hole if they have knicks or dents etc. - Johnny