New York (AFP) - The New England Patriots have asked the NFL to reinstate John Jastremski and Jim McNally, the suspended staffers pegged as key figures in the "Deflate-gate" controversy.
NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy confirmed Wednesday that the league is reviewing the request.
The Patriots suspended Jastremski, the team's equipment assistant, and McNally, the team's officials locker room attendant, after the investigation into whether quarterback Tom Brady and the Patriots conspired to break rules by intentionally deflating game balls used in the AFC Championship game.
The Ted Wells-led probe uncovered emails in which McNally referred to himself as "the deflator".