By PFW staff
Sept. 13, 2007

It didn’t take long for NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to hand down punishment to the Patriots and head coach Bill Belichick. On Thursday, the NFL fined Belichick $500,000 and the Patriots $250,000 for allegedly videotaping the Jets’ coaching staff’s signals during last Sunday’s 38-14 Patriots victory. New England will additionally be docked a first-round pick in the 2008 NFL draft if it makes the playoffs, or forfeit its second- and third-round picks if it fails to reach the postseason.

In his Thursday press conference, just hours prior to the league’s decision, Belichick refused to answer reporters’ questions about the validity of the videotaping allegations but said he would have a comment after the league ruled on the case.

“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, 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.”

“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.”

The Patriots released a statement from Belichick on Thursday night acknowledging his punishment:

“I accept full responsibility for the actions that led to tonight’s ruling. Once again, I apologize to the Kraft family and every person directly or indirectly associated with the New England Patriots for the embarrassment, distraction and penalty my mistake caused. I also apologize to Patriots fans and would like to thank them for their support during the past few days and throughout my career.

“As the Commissioner acknowledged, our use of sideline video had no impact on the outcome of last week’s game. We have never used sideline video to obtain a competitive advantage while the game was in progress.

“Part of my job as head coach is to ensure that our football operations are conducted in compliance of the league rules and all accepted interpretations of them. My interpretation of a rule in the Constitution and Bylaws was incorrect.

“With tonight’s resolution, I will not be offering any further comments on this matter. We are moving on with our preparations for Sunday’s game.”

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