Goodell has no regrets about destroying Patriots tapes
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
WASHINGTON (AP) NFL commissioner Roger Goodell told Sen. Arlen Specter face-to-face that he doesn't regret destroying the Spygate tapes.
I think it was the right thing to do," Goodell said Wednesday after meeting for more than an hour with Specter, the ranking Republican on the Senate Judiciary committee. Goodell noted that "we were the ones that disclosed" the New England Patriots' illegal taping of the New York Jets' defensive signals. "I have nothing to hide," Goodell said.
Specter, R-Pa., requested the meeting so Goodell could explain his decision to destroy the tapes and notes from the case, which go back to 2002. Patriots coach Bill Belichick was fined $500,000 and the team was fined $250,000. The Patriots also forfeited a first-round draft pick.
Goodell said that Belichick, New England's coach since 2000, told him that he believed the taping was legal, implying that he's been doing it since he has been the head coach. Goodell said he did not concur.
"He said that's always been his interpretation since he's been the head coach," the commissioner said. "We are going to agree to disagree on the facts."
Specter has questioned the quality of the NFL's investigation into the matter and has raised the possibility of congressional hearings if he wasn't satisfied with Goodell's answers. Specter also raised the threat of Congress canceling the league's antitrust exemption and reiterated that in the meeting with Goodell.
Goodell also said he has not heard from Matt Walsh, the former Patriots employee who performed some videotaping duties for the team. Goodell said he has offered Walsh a deal whereby "he has to tell the truth and he has to return anything he took improperly."
Goodell also said he reserves the right to reopen the investigation if more information is uncovered.
LINK
http://www.theredzone.org/absolutenm...d=532&zoneid=1
Goodell has no regrets about destroying Patriots tapes
Goodell has no regrets about destroying Patriots tapes
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