Is Deflategate a big deal or a lot of hot air? Your Say

Accusations that the New England Patriots used deflated footballs in the AFC Championship game sparked debate among readers. Comments from Facebook are edited for clarity and grammar:

The issue here is not the impact on the conference championship game, which would almost assuredly have been too small to have changed the outcome, but rather the fact that it is hard to see this as anything but an indicator of a franchise addicted to deliberate cheating.

It is not nearly as bad as the New Orleans Saints scandal — remember Bountygate? — but a harsh penalty needs to be levied if the reports are true.

— Steve Hall

The referees handle the footballs before the games, as well as before and after the plays.

If it turned out there were any soft balls and advantage to the Patriots, then fire the refs.

— Jim Eagle

It makes sense that quarterbacks would like footballs inflated at different levels. What's the big deal? Green Bay Packers' Aaron Rodgers says he likes them overinflated, and Patriots' Tom Brady likes them under- inflated. The Indianapolis Colts ratted on the Patriots because they were beaten so badly.

— Julia S Wallace

I hope the NFL resolves this quickly and doesn't drag its feet like it did with the Ray Rice situation. Controversy like this hurts the integrity of the game.

What message does it send other teams if New England is not punished immediately? That it's OK to cheat in the playoffs?

— Harry Papers