Spygate (NFL)

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Spygate was an incident during the 2007 National Football League (NFL) season, when the New England Patriots were disciplined by the league to record the New York Jets' defensive coach signals from unauthorized locations during the 9 September 2007 games. The opponent trainer's video recordings are not illegal in NFL de jure, but there are special areas allowed by the league to do such recording. Because the Patriots instead recorded Jets' coaches from their own sideline during the game, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell deems it a violation of league rules, stating that the measure is a calculated and deliberate effort to avoid the old rules designed to encourage fair play and promote honest competition â € " € <â €

As part of their investigation into the allegations, the NFL requires the Patriot to submit all records and records relating to the recording of defensive defensive signals; The Patriots did not want the videotapes to leave their facilities, in turn league officials went to Patriot athletic facilities and began destroying the tapes, on Goodell's orders. This action was criticized on February 1, 2008 - 2 days before the Super Bowl XLII - by US Senator from Pennsylvania Arlen Specter, who requested to meet Goodell. After meeting Goodell on February 13, 2008, the Spectre reported that Goodell told him that Belichick had been involved in training since he became head coach of the Patriots in 2000. Belichick said he believed he operated in the rules during the recording was not used during the same game.

Almost nine months after the incident, the Boston Herald reported, quoting an unnamed source, that the Patriots also recorded St walkthrough activities. Louis Rams prior to Super Bowl XXXVI in February 2002, an allegation was denied. by Belichick and later withdrawn by the Boston Herald . Meanwhile, Matt Walsh, a 2001 Patriot video assistant who was fired after the 2002 team season, told the media the same week that he had information and material on Patriots video recording practice, but demanded a compensation agreement before speaking with the NFL. The NFL reached an agreement with Walsh on April 23, 2008, and arranged a meeting between Goodell and Walsh. Before the meeting, Walsh sent eight videotapes, which contained the opposite trainer's signal from the 2000 to 2002 season, in accordance with the agreement. Goodell and Walsh met on May 13, 2008, at which time Walsh told Goodell that he and other Patriot employees were present on Rams trip to prepare video equipment for the game but no record of the guides were made; as a result, Goodell told the media that no additional penalties would be filed against the Patriot. Less than 24 hours later, Herald issued an apology for an article about the recording being searched.

Video Spygate (NFL)

NFL Security menyita kamera video

On September 10, 2007, Belichick was accused by the Jets of authorizing his staff to film Jets defensive signals from a field location, a violation of league rules. NFL Security confiscated the video camera used by Matt Estrella's video assistant to film the signal during the game. Jets Head coach Eric Mangini - former assistant coach of the Patriots - has reported the fact that the Patriots are recording from the sidelines to NFL Security. Mangini later stated, "I do not think it is a significant advantage, but I will not give them comfort to do it in our stadium, and I want to close it but there is no intention to get the league involved No intention to have a landslide like now. "

Two days later, Belichick issued a statement "to apologize to everyone who has been affected," and also stated that he spoke with Goodell about Belichick's "interpretation of rules". Belichick states that he believes that if the tapes collected are not used during the game, the collection is valid, since the NFL Constitution and Bylaws stipulate that "... any communication or information gathering equipment, other than cameras or Polaroid type telephones, shall be prohibited. , including without limitation... any other electronic device that might help the team during game play. "In a September 2006 memo by NFL Football Operations Vice President Ray Anderson, all teams were informed that" video recording of any type, including but not limited to not limited to offensive or defensive signals recording, banned on the sidelines, in coach chambers, in locker rooms, or at other locations accessible to club staff members during the game. "

Penalties and fines

On September 13, for "the use of equipment to record offensive or defensive signals of the opposing team," Belichick was formally fined $ 500,000 - the largest fine ever imposed on the coach in an 87-year-old league history, and the maximum allowed under the rules league. The Patriots were also fined $ 250,000, and stripped of their first-round selection at the 2008 NFL Draft; if the Patriots missed the playoffs, they would lose their second and third rounds of choice instead. Goodell said that he fined Patriots as a team because Belichick effectively was the team's general manager and head coach, and trained so much control over field operations at Patriot that "his actions and decisions were rightly linked to the club." Goodell considered suspending Belichick but decided taking draft picks will be more severe in the long run. The Patriots officially won their fifth Eastern Fifth division title on November 25, making them their first NFL team since the Miami Dolphins in 1971 to select the first round taken by league action.

The next day, Belichick issued a statement in which he apologized for what he called a "mistake" in his interpretation of the rules. However, he has denied ever using video footage to make a profit while the game is in progress, which Goodell also recognizes.

On September 16, Goodell ordered the Patriot to submit all records, tapes, and other material related to the incident, threatening further discipline if the Patriot disobeyed. On September 20, the NFL announced that it had received and destroyed the requested material. In Super Bowl XLII pre-press conference, Goodell revealed the content of the material, saying there were six tapes from the end of the 2006 season and preseason 2007.

Initial response

After a recording of the actual footage aired on Fox NFL Sunday on September 16, former Dallas head coach Cowboys, Jimmy Johnson, claimed, "This is exactly how I was told to do it 18 years ago by Kansas City. I tried it, but I do not think it helped us. "Johnson also said," Bill Belichick was wrong because he recorded the signal after the memo was sent to all the teams who said not to do it.But what pisses me off is hearing some reactions from players and coaches These players do not know what their coach is doing and some coaches have selective amnesia because I know there are certain teams doing this.That is why the memo is sent to everyone.That does not make [Belichick] true, but many teams do this. "

Former Miami Dolphins head coach Don Shula commented on the incident on Nov. 6, when the Patriots themselves were seven wins from a perfect regular season, saying: "The Spygate thing has reduced what they have accomplished.You will hate to have that inherent to your accomplishment. They've got it... I guess you get the same thing by putting an asterisk by Barry Bonds home run record.I think it will be noted that the Patriots were fined and the number one draft choice was taken during the year's achievement. "Richard Seymour defensive end , said, "I really do not pay much attention to it... Nothing I do or I see this team should have an asterisk." Rodney Harrison's rescue also dismissed the comment: "It does not matter.We great respect [Shula] and she's entitled to whatever she thinks it does not matter." After New England finished the regular season unbeaten, Shula praised the Patriots for doing "a great job of concentrating on opponents every week and not letting other distractions bother the focus."

In addition, starting with the 2008 season, NFL owners approved the rules that permit defensive coach-to-player radio communications, reflecting the system used by the first offense to be implemented in 1994.

Maps Spygate (NFL)

Congressional Concern

Arlen Specter

On February 1, 2008, US Senator Arlen Specter (later R-PA), a ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, commented on the incident and the NFL's decision to destroy video proof evidence in The New York Times article. The Specters quoted in the letter to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said, "I am deeply concerned about the underlying facts on the recording, the reasons for judgment on the limited penalties and, most importantly, on the inexplicable destruction of tapes." Specter also says he can called Goodell to attend a congressional hearing on the league antitrust release, at which time Goodell would also be asked to comment on the destruction of tapes received from the Patriots. The true motivation of Specters to become involved with Spygate is questioned by some due to the fact that the biggest Specters campaign donors are Comcast and lobbyists and at the moment Comcast is in the midst of a fierce dispute with NFL Network over distribution fees.

Goodell agrees to meet

In his annual Super Bowl press conference on February 1, Goodell said he was "more than willing" to meet with Congress to explain his reasons behind the cassette tampering, adding that he did not consider the incidents of making illegal videos "tainted [Patriot] '] achievements. "Goodell reiterated this belief in a January 31 memorandum for the Specter while also adding the NFL has no evidence that the Patriot incorrectly recorded the Eagles signal during the Super Bowl XXXIX. Good3 and Specters

meet

Goodell and Specter met personally at Washington D.C. on February 13, 2008. After the meeting, Goodell said that he believes destroying the material is "the right thing to do" and that he "does not hide anything." Then, Specter told reporters that he "found many unanswerable questions because the tapes and records had been destroyed." Goodell also told the Specters that Belichick personally informed Goodell during an initial investigation that the recording practice was dated back to when Belichick took over as Patriot head coach in 2000. Goodell told reporters Belichick believed the tape was legitimate, adding "[Belichick] to be his interpreter since he became head coach... We will agree to disagree on the facts. "Specters also told reporters that the" Spygate "case against the New England Patriots involved four games against the Steelers, including two AFC championship games. Specters told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette I think fans of Steelers have a lot to worry about this and I am one of them... maybe ownership of Steelers should think about it a bit. " Two days later, Steelers Chairman Dan Rooney dismissed the specter, stating that "We are considering recording our training staff during our match against the New England Patriots being a non-issue." In our opinion, they have no impact on their outcome.

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Further allegations against Patriot

Matt Walsh appeared

Matt Walsh, a former Patriots employee who was with the team in 2001 as a video assistant and was fired after the 2002 season, spent as a Scout assistant, shown in the days before Super Bowl XLII that he had information about the Patriots' action but has not been disclosed: "If I have a reason to want to go public or tell a story, I can do it before it even breaks," he said. "I can say everything rather than have [New York Jets head coach Eric] Mangini being the one who took him out." Walsh declares that he is bound by the confidentiality agreement he signed with the Patriot, while Walsh has not been contacted by the Patriot or the NFL until after both The New York Times and ESPN published a quote from him on February 1st. , 2008, he said that he was contacted by the media after the September 2007 incident, but has sought legal advice to "protect him and his family." The Patriots later denied that such an arrangement of secrecy exists.

Boston Herald report

On February 2, 2008, the day before the appearance of the Patriots at Super Bowl XLII, Boston Herald reported, quoting an unnamed source, that a Patriots video staff member recorded a video about St. Louis Rams' Saturday, February 2, 2002 walkthrough before Super Bowl XXXVI in Louisiana Superdome, accusations rejected by Patriots later that day. The NFL conducted interviews with Belichick and other members of the Patriots before and after the Super Bowl XLII on the charges, and found no evidence to prove the allegations of Super Bowl XXXVI or other violations other than the NFL that have punished the Patriots.

Citing league sources, The Boston Globe reported on March 10, 2008, that NFL investigators found practical limitations on the allegations; Patriots video equipment mounted the day before the game does not have the nearest battery or power source to run it. Hohler, Bob (2008-03-10). "For some, vengeful videotaper". The Boston Globe . Retrieved 2008-03-10 . Ã, & lt;/ref & gt; Also, an NFL investigator interviewed a Patriot employee who left the Louisiana Superdome that day with Walsh; according to the employee, Walsh said of his steps: "We should record it."

Boston Herald author John Tomase, who wrote the story, told WROR-FM on February 5, 2008, that "rumors have been around for a while... This is something we first heard in September, after the Spygate, we dug and could not understand it. "Tomase said the story" was not even on the radar screen "until February 1, 2008, when The New York Times published their article about the Specters desire to meet Goodell. At that time, Tomase said, Boston Herald decided to publish their story, which they can "confirm it in a way that they feel comfortable," after the newspaper felt both the New York Times and ESPN also almost published the allegations. The Boston Herald later apologized for the report and revoked it.

Carl J. Mayer, a Princeton lawyer, New Jersey, with the Jets season ticket, filed a $ 184.8 million lawsuit against coach Bill Belichick. The damage represents the cost of tickets for the Jets-Patriots game at Giants Stadium during Belleyick's tenure as coach. Mayer asked for the money, $ 61.6 million, three times under the federal extortion law. The Third Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the dissolution of the lower courts of the lawsuit.

Patriots respond

In a February 17, 2008 interview with The Boston Globe , Belichick denied ever recording another team search practice, saying that "I never authorized, or heard, or even seen in any way, shape or form a walkthrough other teams.We do not even film themselves...... in my coaching career I have never filmed a walkthrough, we are alone I have never been a staff who filmed a walkthrough I talked about when I was head coach As an assistant I has never seen a head coach film a walkthrough the day before the game. "Belichick also noted he" could not vote for Matt Walsh out of line "and disagreed with the use of the name" Spygate, "because all the taping done by Patriots is evident.

According to Patriots Vice President of Player Personnel Scott Pioli, who was also interviewed, Walsh was fired by the Patriots in January 2003 after he was discovered by Pioli to secretly record the audio of the conversation between the two. Pioli also denied reports that Walsh had been an "area scout" for the team, adding Walsh had "an entry-level position that we had all the reconnaissance assistants in... making copies, picking up people at airports, data entry, more footage of players' , those who fulfill the NFL Draft. "Pioli also believes" that [Walsh's] work is being carried out not to the same extent as anyone else "and that there is" no confrontation "when Walsh is fired. Walsh's lawyer Michael Levy called Pioli's explanation "complete fabrication... a predictable and sad attempt to obscure Mr. Walsh's character rather than face the truth about Patriot behavior."

In the interview, Belichick also discussed his interpretation of Article 9 of the NFL Constitution and Bylaws, which the Patriots were punished for violating. Belichick believes the tape was legal as long as the tape was not used during the same game, saying "my interpretation is that you can not take advantage of anything to help you during the game." What our cameras did was clearly not allowed to use during the game and was never used during the match being shot. "He also added the team using the tapes for" halftime adjustments "was" never, never ". After the Patriots were punished, Belichick said, "the practice was immediately stopped." He also issued an apology for not contacting the league regarding his interpretation of the "gray areas" in the rules and called the incident "my responsibility."

Later, during the NFL owner's meeting on April 1, 2008, Belichick said that the team had taken the situation as "positive," modifying organizational procedures so that "everything was done more efficiently and more responsibly" so that similar situations would never reappear. On the same day, Belichick and Kraft gave private addresses to all other NFL owners and coaches, where Kraft apologized for illegal filmmaking and Belichick repeated his belief that he thought the filming was a rule. The Indianapolis Colts head coach, Tony Dungy, called the speech "wholeheartedly," while President Colts, Bill Polian said the movement was "typical of [Kraft's] class."

NFL/Walsh indemnification agreement

On March 9, 2008, the NFL announced that it was close to an agreement with Walsh and his lawyer that would compensate Walsh for any legal or financial harm if an NFL investigator interviews him. At the start of the NFL owner's meeting on March 31, 2008, with the NFL having not reached an agreement with Walsh, Kraft said the "damaging allegations made by newspapers" was something he believed "never happened." Kraft added that Walsh, whom he does not remember from his time with Patriot, never signed confidentiality statements with the team.

On April 23, 2008, the NFL announced that it had reached a compensation agreement with Walsh and had arranged a May 13, 2008 meeting between Walsh and Goodell. Under the terms of the agreement, Walsh is requested to share whatever information he may have in connection with the Patriots activities during Walsh's work with the team from 1997 to 2003, as well as to surrender the ribbon and other items he owns into the NFL by the May 8 deadline 2008. The Patriots and the NFL promise not to prosecute Walsh and also agree to indemnify Walsh for the legal costs involved with the interview process, as long as he abides by the terms of the agreement. In addition, the agreement stipulates that the NFL shall retain the evidence submitted by Walsh, and that Walsh may retain copies thereof, but may not release such copies to third parties without the permission of the NFL.

May 13, 2008 meeting

Walsh sent a cassette at the beginning

In accordance with the May 8 deadline, Walsh sent eight videotapes to the league offices before the meeting:

• One record from the Miami Dolphins game on September 24, 2000
• Two tapes, one offensive signal and one defensive signal, from the Dolphins game on October 7, 2001
• One cassette from the Buffalo Bills game on November 11, 2001
• One cassette of the Cleveland Browns game on December 9, 2001
• Two recordings from January 27, 2002, AFC Championship Game against Pittsburgh Steelers
• One ribbon, from "third camera", from San Diego Chargers game on September 29, 2002

Levy told The New York Times that Walsh did not have a record of the Rams' Super Bowl XXXVI journey or the original source of the Boston Herald article that made the allegations, as has been speculated by some in media. While Patriot was detained from comments, NFL Senior Vice President of Public Relations Greg Aiello told The Boston Globe that the footage received was consistent with what the leagues already knew and what the Patriots recognized when interviewed after the September 2007 Incident. Specter issued a statement in response to Aiello's comment, saying "I think it's unfortunate that the NFL has started a 'nothing new' spin before watching the tape or figuring out what Mr. Matt Walsh said.Let's see where the evidence is pointing." The Specters also schedule meetings with Walsh and Levy in Washington DC on May 13, 2008, following Walsh's meeting with Goodell in New York City the previous day.

Walsh and Goodell meet

On the morning of May 13, 2008, Walsh, Goodell, and other officials and lawyers met for over three hours at the NFL office in New York City. During the meeting, the media contingent featured clips from videotapes sent to NFL by Walsh, almost all of which contained the trainer's signals, scoreboard shots, and top-level end-zone displays of the game.

Goodell then held a press conference, where he repeated earlier NFL statements that Walsh's main information about the Patriot practice was consistent with what the leagues already knew and had disciplined the team. Walsh told Goodell at the meeting that there was no record of the Rams trip before Super Bowl XXXVI, that nobody had asked Walsh to record it, and that Walsh did not know who had recorded it. When Rams made a walkthrough, Walsh said he and other Patriots employees were at the stadium preparing the video equipment for the game wearing team clothes. After a press conference, NFL outside adviser Gregg Levy told a group of reporters that Walsh, when interviewed, said he told Patriots then-defensive assistant Brian Daboll afterwards about using Rams' Marshall Faulk as a kick repellent and a tight final move in offensive formation at walkthrough. Daboll then asks Walsh to format the formation. The NFL then re-interviews Daboll, who does not recall the conversation; The NFL also notes that even if the conversation happens, it will not break the rules, because Walsh is authorized to be in the stadium, not acting in secret, and not ordered to observe the exercise.

Walsh also told Goodell during a morning interview that the Patriots had, against the league rules, used players in injured reserves during training in 2001, and that Walsh had raised Super Bowl tickets for certain players as well during that time. While Goodell said that the use of injured players in practice would usually result in a fine of the team, he would not charge additional penalties against the team or Belichick after issuing a $ 750,000 fine collectively after the initial incident in September 2007. Walsh also told Goodell he not knowing any Patriots locker rooms, manipulating communication systems or crowd noise, or placing a microphone on a player to record signals or audibles; all allegations made against the Patriots at one point or another.

Furthermore, Walsh revealed to Goodell that the signal recordings stayed with Walsh throughout the game, not processed during the break, and awarded to Patriots Football Research Director Ernie Adams after the game. Goodell, who admitted in September 2007 that the tape did not provide a competitive advantage to the Patriot during the game, reiterated the fact that the tape was not processed during the break at a post-meeting press conference but said he never accepted Belichick's interpretation of the rules not banning unused tapes in the same game.

Later in the day, the Patriots released the following statement:

"We want to overcome the allegation that the Patriots recorded the Rams' walkthrough before the Super Bowl XXXVI.For the last three-and-a-half months, we have defended ourselves against assumptions made based on unfounded statements and not on facts or evidence. insisted we, the report ran on February 2, 2008, the day before the Super Bowl XLII that the game is the second most watched program in television history and it's unfortunate that today's news will not also reach the audience. Matt Walsh, everyone will finally believe what we have said all along and firmly state on the day of the preliminary report: 'suggestions that the New England Patriots noted St. Louis Rams' walkthrough on the day before the 2002 Super Bowl XXXVI were absolutely wrong. contrary advice is incorrect. '"

Walsh and Specters meet

After the May 13 meeting with Goodell in New York City, Walsh and Michael Levy traveled to Washington D.C. to meet the Specters. Due to late arrivals and expected long meetings, the Specters' office suspended press conferences scheduled until May 14, 2008.

The day after meeting Specter, Walsh was interviewed by The New York Times at Michael Levy's office. Walsh told the newspaper that he was discussing with video director Jimmy Dee alibis to use if he was questioned by the opposing team about his activities while recording the signal, such as shooting the marker down and in place on the scoreboard, but noting that he never had to use one. The Specters also released a floor statement after a meeting that said Walsh changed his Patriot sweater in and out and issued a generic mandate, not a team, for the 2002 Patriots-Steelers AFC Championship match. Walsh also noted that he was surprised to hear Belichick's comments that Belichick "could not choose Walsh out of line," because Belichick had spoken to Walsh on more than one occasion, and Bill's ex-wife Debbie gave Walsh a sweater for Christmas in 2001.

In a May 16, 2008 interview with Armen Keteyian of CBS News, Belichick responded to Walsh's comments, saying that Walsh "has a way of decorating the story," that the two "really do not have many relationships" and "very rarely see or talk to each other," and that he did not think he would recognize him before his publicity. Belichick said that Walsh's claim that the Patriots cheated in making their videotapes was "never happened," and noted that Walsh was in full Patriot gear because Belichick "felt like what [Patriots] did fine."

However, Belichick said that the continuation of the video recording exercise after Ray Anderson's memo in 2006 was Belichick's "mistake". Belichick regrets not going to the league to check the legality of their practice after receiving the memo, but allowing his interpretation of the Constitution and Bylaws to "set aside." Belichick added that if teams are deliberately taking the risk of breaking the rules, they will not practice that unwise as they do, which Belexick proved by the opposing coaches waving at the camera that recorded the signal, and by the fact that regular game videotapes, to each team, clearly showing Walsh's video recordings on Patriots equipment. Belichick also outlines a process that uses videotape, explaining how Adams can sometimes gather information from them, but the signal is only part of the "mosaic" of other elements of game planning and preparation. Responding to the notion that recording a signal gives the team an advantage simply by observing and recording it by hand, Belichick states that while most teams, including Patriots, protect their signals by frequently changing them or using a bracelet system, the team can to decode signals without tape, as they are available for everyone to see, and that the Patriots record it for convenience and as a better method of learning.

The Boston Herald apologizes

In their May 14, 2008, the Boston Herald issues an apology to the Patriots and their fans to publish February 2, 2008, a story that cites unnamed sources in accusing the Patriot of having recorded the Rams' search before Super Bowl XXXVI. The newspaper said that while they believed their source was trustworthy, they never saw a video tape from the walkthrough, or talked to anyone who owned it. So, they write, they should not publish the story, which they think is wrong, "in the absence of stronger verification." The next day, Boston Herald Chief Editor Kevin Convey takes full responsibility for publishing the story, standing behind Tomase's work and sports departmental Herald.

In an interview with CNBC on the same day, Kraft said he was annoyed that there would still be people all over the country who would not see the retraction, and that he felt justified after the "destructive" story put a cloud over the [team] for three and a half month. "Kraft added that he believes no other team in sports history has undergone such an inspection when the Patriots followed the initial incident in September 2007, and that the Patriots have done a full audit of their organizational procedures, with lawyers now helping the Team manage the rule book The NFL, which Kraft is aware of "is outside the scope of the coaching staff, or personnel personnel, to set [r] correctly."

Robert Kraft's son, Patriot president Jonathan Kraft, spoke to WEEI the next day about an apology, which he values, but believes "will be late." He says that the Herald calls the team an hour before the paper goes to press, and that even if the Patriots say the Herald "firmly, in the strongest terms possible, either through comments from the team law [Belichick] and [Patriots] ', that it is not appropriate to run the story, " Herald publishes the article the next day. In the next three months, per Kraft, it was understood throughout the country that the Patriot had recorded a walkthrough as a result of the article, and according to the Patriot public relations department, 300,000 other newspaper articles referring to Herald reported; Kraft said he did not know how the team could reach the group to take back that conviction. Following the incident, Kraft also said Patriots lawyers and administrators are now turning to every rule change and clarification with the coaching staff and asking staff to come to them first about the rule interpretation question. Kraft dismissed allegations of Patriots who damaged a sideline or playclock system, as both were operated by the league, not teams, officials. Finally, Kraft says that the Patriots are looking to move away from false reports and to rebuild their previous relationship with the Herald.

Tomase explained the initial publication of a false report in the edition of the Boston Herald on May 16, 2008. Tomase said that he first heard rumors at the end of the 2006 season, but rejected it until the rumor reappeared from a "distant source stronger "after the September 2007 incident. Two days before the Super Bowl, once The New York Times and ESPN published a story about Matt Walsh, Toamse said Walsh's name" triggered an alarm, "because" many believe he has film walkthrough. " Tomase added that despite warnings from Patriot and other reporters, he was "trapped at the time" and "did not step back to consider the consequences." While the report quotes an unnamed source, Tomase says that although he has many sources for the story, he relies on one more than the others, and refuses to name the source. Finally, Tomase believes that although he never feels deceived by the source, he should not write the story for not seeing the recording or getting comments from members of the organization.

In the weeks after Deflategate in 2015 between the Patriots and the Colts, ESPN runs several stories quoting the Boston Herald article. On August 20, 2015, ESPN issued an apology.

Specter call for independent inquiry

A day after talking privately with Walsh in his Washington D.C. office, the Specters held a press conference to announce his desire to conduct an independent inquiry into the Patriot video recording practice. Specter cites Senator George J. Mitchell (D-ME) ("The Mitchell Report") report into the use of steroids in baseball as an example of impartial investigation, outside. Specters say he believes there is a conflict of interest in the NFL's investigation of the Patriots practice, and criticized the NFL for allowing Patriots And Goldberg lawyers into Walsh's meeting with Goodell and letting him ask questions. He also said that he felt Patriots owe the public "more openness and more credibility" with respect to their practice.

Specter also talks about his own encounter with Walsh, who told the Specters of a former Patriot offensive player who told Walsh about being summoned to a meeting with Belichick, Adams, and then-then-offensive coordinator Charlie Weis before the September 3, 2000 game against Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where the player is instructed to memorize the previously recorded defensive signal on the tape, notice the signal from the sidelines during the game, and pass it on to Weis. This, according to players, allows the Patriot to anticipate 75 percent of the defense game being called.

In a press conference, Specter also noted that Walsh, while recording the signal during the game against the Jets, stood next to the Jets videographer who, to Walsh, also appeared as a recording signal. Walsh then explained, saying the Jets cameraman was fishing his camera into the sidelines of the Patriots, and that Walsh did not question him about his activities because Walsh knew he was doing the same. Walsh then suggested the then-defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel to change the team's signal in the light of the event.

On May 15, 2008, Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA), who at the time, along with Specter sat on the United States Senate Committee on Justice, commented on the Spectre initiative, saying: "With the war in Iraq raging, gasoline prices approach $ 4 per gallon, and Americans lose their homes at record levels for foreclosures, the United States Senate should focus on the real issue that America is struggling with. "

In a June 16, 2008 interview with Philadelphia Daily News , Specters said he "has gone as far as he can" with the issue, and will not ask for a Senate hearing.

2015 ESPN report

In the report for ESPN, Don Van Natta Jr. and Seth Wickersham argues that the handling of commissioner Roger Goodell on Deflategate is influenced by the inconceivable and incomplete handling of the Spygate incident. Van Natta Jr. and Wickersham argues that the true level of the Spygate scandal was covered by Goodell and the National Football League to protect the image of the NFL and as an aid to New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, who was in charge of Goodell's promotion to the commissioner. The report alleges a very complex system in which the opposing team's signal is recorded, translated, and forwarded to the Patriots coach and players in the field during a match that includes at least 40 games between 2000 and 2007. The system also includes a personal assistant for Bellichick who has a photographic memory and has the official title of "Director of Soccer Research", the only person with such titles in the NFL, he tells congressional stories about sneaking behind the opponent's bench and recording their crowd. According to the article, the talent scout team will go to future Patriot opponents and create movie signs and dramas. They will then create a spreadsheet of all the appropriate signs and dramas, the Patriot staff will then submit the spreadsheet to the "Director of Football Research" which will match the signal with the drama. The Patriots will also occasionally bring in former players from the team they are playing ask if they have accurately recorded the signal, they will later cut the player.

The article goes on to quote a former Patriot assistant who says "things get out of hand," referring to the entire hidden masking and signal-coding system.

In a statement from Mike Martz, the former coach of St. Louis Rams coach and coach also warned Goodell that he would write a statement saying he was satisfied with the NFL Spygate investigation and believes the Patriots are not cheating and asking everyone. to continue - as the Steelers and Eagle leaders have done. A congressional inquiry that will put the league officials under oath should be avoided, Martz remembers Goodell telling him. "If it came to an investigation, it would be terrible for the league," Goodell said.

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2010 allegations against Broncos

On November 27, 2010, the NFL fined the Denver Broncos and their head coach Josh McDaniels, who served as assistant coach under Belichick from 2001-2008, $ 50,000 respectively after Broncos video director Steve Scarnecchia recorded a walkthrough of the San Francisco 49ers practice before October 30 2010 NFL International Series match at Wembley Stadium, London. Scarnecchia, son of Patriots long line coach Dante Scarnecchia, was a video assistant for the Patriots in 2001-2004, before joining the Jets video department for the 2006-2007 season. As a result of the NFL's findings, Scarnecchia was dismissed by the Broncos, and submitted to the hearing on possible restrictions of the NFL due to two-time involvement in violations of the game's integrity policy.

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See also

• Deflategate
• New Orleans Saints bounty scandal
• List of scandals with the "-glock" suffix

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References

Source of the article : Wikipedia