‘Deflategate’ testing set at KSQM studios

With Super Bowl week officially under way, the sports world still seems transfixed on what is referred to as “Deflategate.”

With Super Bowl week officially under way, the sports world still seems transfixed on what is referred to as “Deflategate.”

While the NFL investigates allegations regarding the New England Patriots’ “under-inflated” footballs, local radio station KSQM 91.5FM has decided to offer its own informal survey on the subject.

Realizing that many in the local area may be equally curious, Tama Bankston, director of Office Administration for KSQM, has arranged an opportunity for anyone wishing to actually “feel a few footballs.” The public is invited to visit KSQM studios at 577 W. Washington St. and take part in an informal survey by handling specimen footballs. Is it fat or flat? The inflation of four official NFL size and weight balls have been certified by coach Mike McMahan, a three-time Semi-Pro Hall of Fame quarterback.

Some are set at 12.5 psi, and at least one ball will be under-inflated by 2 pounds (that is: 10.5 psi).

“I’m a huge Seahawks fan and I thought it might be easy to tell the difference between under- and properly inflated footballs,” said Bankston. “It occurred to me that I haven’t even held a football for the last 20 years!”

The balls will be available this week for “tactile analysis” from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. through Friday and 9 a.m.-noon on Saturday, Jan. 31.

Results of the testing will be tallied and announced live on air Saturday at 1 p.m. during KSQM’s Weekend Show with Robert Sommers.

KSQM 91.5FM is a full-power, non-commercial educational radio service of Sequim Community Broadcasting, a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation and Washington registered charitable organization.

For more information, see ksqmfm.com or call 681-0000.