A Patriots locker room attendant tried to slip in an unapproved ball during the AFC Championship game against the Colts, sources told ESPN's "Outside the Lines."
The attendant, identified by ESPN as Jim McNally, has been contacted and interviewed by NFL investigators, according to the report. The investigators are looking into allegations New England intentionally underinflated footballs before its 45-7 victory.
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According to ESPN's sources, McNally tried to give an unauthorized special teams ball to an alternate official who was in charge of the balls used for kicking, the so-called "K" balls.
NFL officials mark each ball approved for offensive plays once the balls pass pregame inspection. They also approve and mark the kicking balls, which are not used by offenses.
The official, Greg Yette, noticed that the ball McNally handed him did not have the proper official mark, according to the sources. Yette found it odd that a locker room attendant was on the field handling the footballs, and, according to ESPN, notified Mike Kensil, the NFL's vice president of game operations. Kensil was in the press box at Gillette Stadium.
It is unknown when McNally allegedly tried to hand Yette the football.
McNally, Yette and Kensil declined to comment to ESPN.
McNally reportedly has worked for the Patriots for 10 years and been in charge of the officials' locker room at Gillette Stadium for at least six years.
It is unknown if McNally was involved in underinflating footballs that were used by the Patriots' offense. Officials reportedly noticed at halftime that 11 of the 12 balls used by the Patriots were about 2 pounds per square inch below NFL standards. It is believed that slightly underinflated footballs can improve a player's grip.
Contributing: Tom Gatto