spygate: the pats' videotaping scandal

video

the charges

The Pats used a video camera to tape the signals of Jets coaches during a Sept. 9, 2008 game in New York. NFL rules prohibit such taping, and the camera was confiscated. Further allegations, including one that the Pats illegally taped the Rams' walkthrough before Super Bowl XXXVI, emerged.

the rule they broke

From the NFL's Constitution & Bylaws (article 9): "Any use by any club at any time, from the start to the finish of any game in which such club is a participant, of any communications or information-gathering equipment, other than Polaroid-type cameras or field telephones, shall be prohibited, including without limitation videotape machines, telephone tapping, or bugging devices, or any other form of electronic devices that might aid a team during the playing of a game."

the penalty

Belichick was fined $500,000 - the maximum allowed by NFL rules - and the Patriots penalized $250,000, plus the loss of their first-round draft pick.

the players

Bill Belichick
Patriots head coach Bill Belichick is at the center of Spygate. He took the biggest hit in the wake of the scandal, both in reputation and in the pocketbook ($500,000).
matt estrella
Patriots video assistant Matt Estrella was the man behind the camera. He was stopped by an NFL security official while filming on the sidelines during the Pats' win over the Jets.
eric mangini
Ex-Pats assistant and current Jets coach Eric Mangini, whose relationship with Belichick is strained, is alleged to have tipped off the NFL to the Pats' taping on Sept. 9.
roger goodell
The NFL commissioner handed down the ruling and ordered a total of six tapes destroyed. He said that further sanctions could be handed out should new information come to light.
matt walsh
The ex-Pats video assistant turned over eight stolen video tapes to the NFL that show the signals of opposing teams during six games from 2000-2002. But the smoking gun that some believed Walsh might provide, a tape of the Rams' walkthrough prior to Super Bowl XXXVI in 2002, was not included.
senator arlen specter
The Pennsylvania Republican arrived to the party late, criticizing Goodell during Super Bowl week for destroying the tapes. He's seeing to it that Spygate won't go away.
The cover-up is most revealing
Bob Ryan

The cover-up is
most revealing

Bill Belichick has forever placed Patriots fans on the defensive. The sports community associates the team with cheating. The three Super Bowl wins will forever be under suspicion. (By Bob Ryan, Boston Globe, 12 a.m.)

Belichick: 'No deception'

New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick lashed out at the team's former video assistant Friday, saying in a televised interview that Matt Walsh was a low-level staffer who was fired for "poor job performance". (AP, 5/16/08)
Daboll does not recall Walsh talk (Globe File Photo)

Daboll does not recall Walsh talk

Brian Daboll, the former Pats assistant coach with whom Matt Walsh claims he shared information regarding the Rams' walkthrough practice prior to Super Bowl XXXVI, has no recollection of the conversation, the NFL said yesterday. (Boston Globe)
Specter calls for outside probe

Specter calls for outside probe

Arlen Specter said yesterday he wants an independent, impartial investigation into the Patriots' illegal taping practices. Specter stopped short of calling for a congressional investigation, but hinted at the possibility of hearings. (5/14/08)

Walsh talks about Spygate,
Belichick in HBO interview

Former New England video assistant Matt Walsh dismissed Patriots coach Bill Belichick's attempts to minimize the impact of the team's illegal taping of opponents' coaching signals. (AP)

Pats lawsuit vs. Herald appears unlikely

The Boston Herald's extraordinary front page apology yesterday to the New England Patriots appeared to defuse the threat of a potentially damaging lawsuit by the team over the paper's erroneous report that a Patriots employee videotaped their opponent's practice before the 2002 Super Bowl.

Spygate saga coming to a close

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell found no evidence that the St. Louis Rams' walkthrough practice before Super Bowl XXXVI was filmed by the Patriots, as the Boston Herald reported Feb. 2, citing an anonymous source. In today's editions, the Herald acknowledged its error and issued a front-page apology for running the story without adequate verification. (Boston Globe, 5/14/08)
ask reiss > patriots mailbag

Spygate Q&A

As former Patriots employee Matt Walsh meets with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell in New York, we offer context on Spygate by answering your questions.
Football Notes

Tale of the tape, revisited

How has this story, and Matt Walsh's involvement, reached this point? Looking back at the decision-making of the key parties, it seems everyone had their hand in keeping it alive. (Boston Globe, 5/11/08)

Walsh has tapes; no walkthrough

Former Patriots employee Matt Walsh certified in writing that he will turn over eight stolen videotapes to the NFL that show the signals of opposing teams, but the smoking gun that some believed Walsh might provide - a tape of the Rams' walkthrough prior to Super Bowl XXXVI in 2002 - is not included.

Walsh reaches deal to talk to NFL

Former Patriots video assistant Matt Walsh will meet with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on May 13 to talk about New England's videotaping procedures. (Boston Globe, 4/24/08)
To some, a vindictive videotaper (Espn.Com Photo / Mike Fish)

To some, a vindictive videotaper

Amid news that former Patriots video assistant Matt Walsh is close to reaching an agreement to tell what he knows, the Globe found that Walsh broke league rules under orders from the Patriots by videotaping opponents' signals between 2000 and 2002, and could have video recordings to prove it, which has not been previously reported. (By Bob Hohler, Boston Globe, 3/10/08)

Belichick and Pioli speak out

Pats coach Bill Belichick and VP of player personnel Scott Pioli broke their silence regarding taping procedures and suggestions of improper conduct from former employee Matt Walsh, with Belichick saying he "couldn't pick Matt Walsh out of a lineup". (Boston Globe, 2/18/08)
Dan Shaughnessy

Dark forces at play in Boston sports

If you're a Boston sports fan, you should know my name. Bill Belichick was hardly the first guy to cut a deal with me. There were many others. (Boston Globe, 2/24/08)

Goodell: tapes on six games got destroyed

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, revealing for the first time the extent of the Patriots' illegal videotaping of opponents, said yesterday the league had seized and destroyed tapes on six games dating to the 2006 season. (Boston Globe, 2/2/08)

Big fines for Belichick, Patriots

Coach Bill Belichick was fined $500,000 - the maximum allowed by NFL rules - and the Patriots penalized $250,000, plus the loss of at least one draft pick, for illegally filming the signals of New York Jets coaches in the season opener, the league announced last night. (Boston Globe, 9/14/07)

Personal foul

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell dropped the hammer on the head of Bill Belichick last night. The cheatin' camera the Patriots used against the Jets last Sunday is going to cost the coach a half-million dollars and maybe worse . . . a first-round draft pick. (Boston Globe, 9/14/07)
Dan Shaughnessy

Patriots simply turn sins into wins

Spygate. The New England Patriots - cheatin' and competin'. Its still something to chew on, perfect fodder for water-cooler conversation and talk radio. (Boston Globe, 9/19/07)

boston globe commentary

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