The handcrafting of a football
As players and coaches prepare for Super Bowl XLVI, a different team is busily readying the centrepiece of the big game
The New England Patriots will play the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis on Feb. 5.Reuters
Football-shaped panels are cut out to make the official game balls. Production of the 228 balls for the Super Bowl XLVI begins immediately after the American Football Conference and National Football Conference have won.The Associated Press
Once the panels are cut, liners are sewn onto the leather. The 150 employees at the factory manufacture more than a million footballs every year.The Associated Press
The cowhide panels are split in two to make the proper weight for the official game balls.The Associated Press
Each official game ball is imprinted with the Super Bowl XLVI logo, team names, date and location.The Associated Press
The leather panels are sewn together with a vinyl cotton panel to provide added strength and stability.The Associated Press
Once the balls are completed, Wilson will ship 108 balls to each team. Another 12 'K' balls for the Super Bowl's kicking plays will be sent to the NFL's officiating crew.The Associated Press
Wilson employees will continue to make more than 15,000 Super Bowl XLVI footballs for retail sale.The Associated Press