HERE’S ONE WAY TO WIN: CHEAT!
The National Football League announced today that they have fined New England Patriots Coach Bill Belichick $500,000 and the team an additional $250,000 for videotaping signals used by the New York Jets’ Defensive Coaches.
Coach Belichick has been fined the maximum amount under the NFL Constitution and By-Laws of $500,000 for violating league policy last Sunday on the use of equipment to videotape an opposing team's offensive or defensive signals.
In addition, Commissioner Roger Goodell also notified the Patriots that they would forfeit their first-round draft choice in 2008 if they reach the playoffs, or their own second-round and third-round picks if they do not qualify for the playoffs, and that the club would be fined $250,000. "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 wrote in a letter to the Patriots.
NFL policy states that "no video recording devices of any kind are permitted to be in use in the coaches' booth, on the field, or in the locker room during the game" and that all video shooting locations for club coaching purposes "must be enclosed on all sides with a roof overhead."
In a memo to NFL head coaches and general managers on Sept. 6, 2006, NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations Ray Anderson said, "Videotaping of any type, including but not limited to taping of an opponent's offensive or defensive signals, is prohibited on the sidelines, in the coaches' booth, in the locker room, or at any other locations accessible to club staff members during the game."
In his review of the facts, Goodell determined that the Patriots' use last Sunday of the video camera, which was seized by NFL security before the end of the first quarter, had no impact on the outcome of the Patriots New York Jets game.
Goodell also believes that Patriots ownership was unaware of Belichick's action, but determined that penalties should be imposed on the club because "Coach Belichick not only serves as the head coach but also has substantial control over all aspects of New England's football operations. His actions and decisions are properly attributed to the club."
Goodell informed the Patriots that the NFL would closely review and monitor the Patriots' coaching video program, effective immediately. "I specifically considered whether to impose a suspension on Coach Belichick," Goodell wrote. "I have determined not to do so, largely because I believe that the discipline I am imposing of a maximum fine and forfeiture of a first-round draft choice, or multiple draft choices, is in fact more significant and long-lasting, and therefore more effective, than a suspension."
Coach Belichick has been fined the maximum amount under the NFL Constitution and By-Laws of $500,000 for violating league policy last Sunday on the use of equipment to videotape an opposing team's offensive or defensive signals.
In addition, Commissioner Roger Goodell also notified the Patriots that they would forfeit their first-round draft choice in 2008 if they reach the playoffs, or their own second-round and third-round picks if they do not qualify for the playoffs, and that the club would be fined $250,000. "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 wrote in a letter to the Patriots.
NFL policy states that "no video recording devices of any kind are permitted to be in use in the coaches' booth, on the field, or in the locker room during the game" and that all video shooting locations for club coaching purposes "must be enclosed on all sides with a roof overhead."
In a memo to NFL head coaches and general managers on Sept. 6, 2006, NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations Ray Anderson said, "Videotaping of any type, including but not limited to taping of an opponent's offensive or defensive signals, is prohibited on the sidelines, in the coaches' booth, in the locker room, or at any other locations accessible to club staff members during the game."
In his review of the facts, Goodell determined that the Patriots' use last Sunday of the video camera, which was seized by NFL security before the end of the first quarter, had no impact on the outcome of the Patriots New York Jets game.
Goodell also believes that Patriots ownership was unaware of Belichick's action, but determined that penalties should be imposed on the club because "Coach Belichick not only serves as the head coach but also has substantial control over all aspects of New England's football operations. His actions and decisions are properly attributed to the club."
Goodell informed the Patriots that the NFL would closely review and monitor the Patriots' coaching video program, effective immediately. "I specifically considered whether to impose a suspension on Coach Belichick," Goodell wrote. "I have determined not to do so, largely because I believe that the discipline I am imposing of a maximum fine and forfeiture of a first-round draft choice, or multiple draft choices, is in fact more significant and long-lasting, and therefore more effective, than a suspension."
posted by TMC NEWS at 9:17 PM
4 Comments:
What's to keep them from putting someone in the stands?????
That penalty is way over the top.
It's rediculous.
Everyone trys to steal the opponents signals.
We do it in little league baseball.
We teach the kids who are on base to try and steal the catchers signals.
It's "Taught" by the establishment as part of almost every sport at every level.
I don't understand the punishment.
If they saw the guy there, why didn't they just do something to protect thier signals?
I don't understand what the problem is.
Stealing signals is "Taught" by the establishment aspart of every sport at every level.
Coaches teach how to read the other teams signals to thier players begining in peewee's and little league.
Why didn't the jets just ask the guy to leave or do something to protect thier information?
Losing draft picks over that is crazy.
That's just part of sports.
In fact it's part of any business. Everyone scrutanizes and analyzes what thier competetion does.
It's part of the game.
Citizens arrest, citizens arrest!!
lets see - adults teaching little kids in Little League to cheat? I think it would be far better to say that you're trying to catch on to the strategy of the other team. Trying to visually catch on to a team's signals during a game versus taping and reading them is a far different story. The NFL should have fired the bastard.
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