http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/10/12/tim-hasselbeck-qbs-say-breast-cancer-awareness-footballs-a-disaster/ 

A former NFL quarterback says he's been told by current NFL quarterbacks that the balls featuring a breast cancer awareness logo that the NFL is using this month are slippery and difficult to grip. But the NFL says the balls are the same as the ones used the rest of the year.

Tim Hasselbeck, who bounced around the league with several teams from 2001 to 2007, said today on ESPN Radio's Mike and Mike in the Morning that as he was watching Monday night's Vikings-Jets game, he could see that the combination of the breast cancer awareness footballs and the rain was affecting the game.

"No one's talking about this," Hasselbeck said. "They're playing with these breast cancer awareness balls. These balls are brand new, right out of the bag. Now they get slick -- I texted a couple quarterbacks during the game. They all said, 'These balls have been a disaster.' So I think that's something to note."

The NFL, however, says it's simply not true that the breast cancer awareness logos have affected the quality of the balls.

"They are not different," NFL spokesman Greg Aiello told PFT via e-mail.

The small pink ribbon on the ball doesn't look like it would have much of an effect on the way players grip the ball. But the quarterbacks talking to Hasselbeck apparently think that ribbon makes a big difference.

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While it is an interesting thought, IMO its just a scapegoat....

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For the money these guys get paid they should be able to catch balls covered with bacon grease. Tim Hasselbeck is a complete moron; the kind of player that needed to rely on excuses like this.

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Heard the same thing on M and M this morning and wanted to punt my car radio. Maybe there's an ounce of merit to this, but there's a ton of merit to players being paid a shit ton to catch a damn ball. Put on some freaking gloves with some stick-um for all I care...just catch it (Driver, I'm looking at you).

Players are superstitious and if they drop a ball they look for reasons why. If they see a smooth pink spot on the ball, its normal for them to question 'is that why?'.

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I would need supporting evidence. Has every team seen a somewhat equal increase in drops?

We had 1 game last year where every WR dropped at least 1.

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diver blames himself brett fumbled 2 times last night jets didnt seem to have a problem with it dropped after a hard run think it is just excuses.

I doubt it has anything to do with the ball. WR should be a little more alert / awake.

I'm also assuming now that Jones fumble was cause of this cancer association ball also.

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I don't care if the ball is made of silk. They should catch the ball and do what they're paid to do.

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Why do they need a little pink ribbon on the ball which nobody can see?