Spygate Hobbles NFL's Patriots
New England Awash in Videotaping Accusations
The NFL is continuing a look into the Patriots' videotaping of opponents, while a U.S. senator presses for information, and the team faces a class action lawsuit.
The New England Patriots’ loss in Super Bowl XLII may be head coach Bill Belichick’s least worry if reports concerning the Pats’ spying are credible.
According to a report first published in the Boston Herald, the Patriots allegedly videotaped the St. Louis Rams during the Rams’ walk-through prior to the 2001-2002 Super Bowl. Former New England videographer Matt Walsh, now a golf pro in Hawaii, allegedly has evidence that support the contention that the Patriots’ taping of upcoming opponents was much, much more widespread than Belichick previously admitted to.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell fined Belichick $500,000, the franchise an additional $250,000, and stripped the first round 2008 draft pick from New England to punish the team for videotaping the New York Jets’ defensive signals during the first game of the 2007 season. Belichick turned over a half-dozen tapes and notes to the league in the wake of the scandal.
The embattled head coach signed an affidavit proffered by the league attesting that the team – and its coach – had completely come clean about the so-called Spygate incidents. Considering Goodell’s seemingly zero tolerance when it comes to people lying to him – to wit, imprisoned Atlanta Falcons’ quarterback Michael Vick, and suspended Tennessee Titans’ cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones – it’s very possible that Belichick could face a suspension.
A Congressional Inquiry
Complicating matters is the Congressional investigation apparently being pursued by U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., who has been asking some tough questions of Goodell, including why the NFL destroyed the evidence turned over to the league by Patriots’ officials. Specter burst onto the scene just prior to the Feb. 3 Super Bowl XLII, lost by New England, 17-14.
Now Specter is blasting Goodell, according to The Associated Press. "There are many matters which have not been explained," he remarked. "And the commissioner is stonewalling." Specter did admit that he presently doesn’t have enough evidence to launch a Congressional inquiry.
Goodell, meanwhile, has admitted that stealing signals is nothing new, and goes on all the time. Yet he slammed the Patriots for the videotaping, which is expressly forbidden. “This episode represents a calculated and deliberate attempt to avoid longstanding rules designed to encourage fair play and promote honest competition on the playing field,” Goodell said in revealing the sanctions.
Walsh’s attorney has asked the NFL to provide Walsh with immunity, and claimed the former Pats’ employee has videotapes he shot on behalf of New England. And a former member of the 2001 Rams, along with three St. Louis fans, have filed a $35 million lawsuit against the Patriots in federal district court in New Orleans regarding the videotaping allegations.
