NFL planning 'added security' for Super Bowl footballs

The NFL is taking extra precautions with its Super Bowl XLIX footballs amid the "Deflategate" scandal surrounding the New England Patriots.

"There will be some added security just because of the environment we're in for this game," vice president of officiating Dean Blandino said Thursday during a news conference, according to Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com.

The pregame preparation of game footballs will be handled by an independent group of equipment managers and ball attendants. Supervising the group will be Chicago Bears equipment manager Tony Medlin.

The Patriots and Seattle Seahawks will each prepare 54 footballs to be used in the Super Bowl and will then hand over the balls to Medlin and the NFL on Friday afternoon. The balls will remain with Medlin and his team until about three hours before the game, at which point they will be tested by referee Bill Vinovich.

Blandino said Thursday the footballs for the AFC Championship Game were inspected properly by referee Walt Anderson. 

"My major concern is did we follow proper protocol?" Blandino said. "Everything was properly tested and marked before the game. Walt gauged the footballs himself; it is something he has done throughout his career.

"Officiating is not part of the investigation."