re: A question about NFL ball handling

I learned my tricks from Jeff Boss, LSU; Shorty Kleinau, KState; some NFL guys like Mike Davidson, Chiefs; and many others.

Shorty called me the Pirate, because I stole tricks from everyone.

The absolute worst thing we did to footballs was to put them in a dryer as soon as we unboxed them. It scuffed the balls and raised the natural tackiness of them, as heat expanded the pores.

I did not like it as it hurt our dryers and caused some stuff to get pin holes in them. But I know a few EQ guys that do this. Or they use a horse brush.


The best way to break in a new football is to have the QB at kids camp throw them, as they do not know what they are doing and think they are special throwing new footballs.

I know some will use staples and scruff them then air them to 18 for 48 to 96 hours to help loosen up.