Sports
Roger Goodell Says NFL Will Be ‘Thorough’ in Latest Investigation of Patriots
Buda Mendes/Getty ImagesNFL Commissioner Roger Goodell intends to conduct a “thorough” investigation into the New England Patriots’ improper videotaping of the Cincinnati Bengals’ sideline in Week 14.”It’s under review,” Goodell said Wednesday, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. “We’re going to be thorough and take our time.”The New England Patriots issued a statement on Tuesday acknowledging that their video crew…
Buda Mendes/Getty Images
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell intends to conduct a “thorough” investigation into the New England Patriots‘ improper videotaping of the Cincinnati Bengals‘ sideline in Week 14.
“It's under review,” Goodell said Wednesday, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. “We're going to be thorough and take our time.”
The New England Patriots issued a statement on Tuesday acknowledging that their video crew “inappropriately filmed the field from the press box” in Cleveland on Sunday and the team accepts “full responsibility” for its actions. The team noted it had received permissions from the Cleveland Browns to profile an advanced scout for its Do Your Job series.
Tom Pelissero @TomPelissero
My understanding of how this played out: A #Bengals scout noticed the videotaping in the #Browns press box. He alerted a #Bengals executive, who alerted NFL Security, which spoke with the #Patriots employees and obtained the video. https://t.co/IrNbSZbR44
Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reported the Patriots filmed the Bengals sideline for eight minutes.
New England head coach Bill Belichick denied having any involvement in the video crew's improper filming.
“It's not a football issue in any way, shape or form,” Belichick said Tuesday, per Bengals.com's Geoff Hobson. “Zero. It's part of a TV show. I had nothing to do with this whatsoever.”
Rapoport said on Tuesday that the NFL is “inclined to believe” the Patriots, though punishment is still a possibility:
Ian Rapoport @RapSheet
From NFL Now: The league feels inclined to believe the #Patriots' intentions on videotaping the #Bengals, but that doesn't necessarily mean there won't be a penalty. https://t.co/vmhWCRjbSx
ESPN's Don Van Natta Jr. pointed out that New England's Spygate scandal of 2007 featured a similar excuse:
Don Van Natta Jr. @DVNJr
“Spygate 2.0” appears to have the same M.O., the same ready-made alibi. The difference, this time, is the Bengals have a copy of the tape. The NFL destroyed all the Patriots’ Spygate tapes in 2007.
My 2015 @OTLonESPN report, with @SethWickersham: https://t.co/uEPHPotHmO https://t.co/lXhPM22urS
In 2007, Belichick was fined $500,000 and the Patriots were docked $250,000, with the team also forfeiting its 2008 first-round draft pick.
Also of note, New England was previously punished for the 2015 Deflategate scandal as well. The Patriots were fined $1 million and stripped of two draft picks, while quarterback Tom Brady received a four-game suspension.
When asked if the franchise's previous indiscretions will come into play, Goodell said: “That's a factor. But most important is this incident.”
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