Football Sizes

Watching Monday night NFL football, I got to thinking about the ball itself.  The pro NFL balls are so big, they're like rugby balls.  They are much harder to grip and throw than a smaller high school or college size ball.  Basically, you have to be a giant with giant hands to grip it comfortably.  

I haven't thrown a ball in years, but I can recall that I was able to throw the high school or college balls very well, with nice control; but the bigger pro ball is difficult to throw well due to its sheer size.  It is tough to control, have a tighter spiral, and get the same accuracy and pace.  Also, they tend to sail higher and have less pace if memory serves.  The smaller balls also place less stress on the elbow, shoulder, and wrist; they are much easier to throw for many repetitions.

I say let the NFL use the same size ball as college or high school does; it's not as if people's hands grow at 22 years old.  Remember even the great Tom Brady was accused of deflating the footballs to grip them better.  If it's too big even for him, then somethings not right.

This issue surely affects many quarterbacks who turn pro after college.  The physically smaller ones most likely struggle to adjust to throwing the larger ball.  This issue is rarely discussed or considered when evaluating potential college draft picks, but I think it is important.  

However, having said all of that, I know this is a trivial issue in light of everything else going on in the world, but one which crossed my mind so I thought I'd share it.