Pats staffer tried to put unapproved ball into play in AFC Championship Game

A New England Patriots game-day worker tried to put an unapproved ball into play during the AFC Championship Game, according to an ESPN report Tuesday.

Per the report, Jim McNally, the officials’ locker room attendant at Gillette Stadium, attempted to give an unapproved ball to the alternate official overseeing the kicking balls, known as “K balls.”

The alternate official, Greg Yette, reportedly did not allow the ball into play, and he notified NFL vice president of game day operations Mike Kensil, who was in the press box.

ESPN reported that NFL investigator Ted Wells, charged with getting to the bottom of the so-called “Deflategate” scandal, interviewed McNally.

McNally, Yette and Kensil declined to speak with ESPN.

The report said Kensil went to the locker room at halftime to check the game balls due to the incident reported by Yette.

Multiple media outlets reported that 11 of the 12 balls used by the Patriots’ offense in the first half of the game against the Indianapolis Colts were found to be underinflated in relation to league guidelines. “K balls” are not used by either team’s offense; they are strictly for special teams plays.

All balls are reviewed and approved by the referee before each game.

ESPN reported that McNally works part time for The Kraft Group, owned by Patriots owner Robert Kraft. According to the Patriots, game-day workers technically are not employees of the team.

The Patriots routed the Colts 45-7 to win the AFC title, then went on to beat the Seattle Seahawks 28-24 in the Super Bowl.