Specter wants NFL to explain why Patriots tapes were destroyed

Green Lantern · #1 02-01-2008, 12:33 PM

http://www.thebigtalker1210.com/topi...--NFL-Congress
Specter wants NFL to explain why Patriots tapes were destroyed

Friday, February 01, 2008
WASHINGTON (AP) With the Super Bowl fast approaching, a powerful Republican senator says he wants the NFL to explain why it let evidence of the New England Patriots cheating scandal be destroyed.
''I am very concerned about the underlying facts on the taping, the reasons for the judgment on the limited penalties and, most of all, on the inexplicable destruction of the tapes,'' said Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., in a Thursday letter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.
Specter is the top Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee.
''It's a league matter,'' New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick said Friday during a news conference. ''I don't know anything about it.''
The Patriots play Sunday in the Super Bowl against the New York Giants.
NFL security confiscated a video camera and tape from a Patriots employee during New England's 38-14 victory over the New York Jets. The employee was accused of aiming his camera at the Jets' defensive coaches as they signaled to players on the field.
Goodell fined Belichick $500,000, the maximum amount and docked the team $250,000 and a first-round draft pick. It was the biggest fine ever for a coach and the first time in NFL history a first-round draft pick has been confiscated as a penalty.
After its investigation, the NFL said it destroyed all materials it received from the Patriots.
The New York Times first reported Specter's comments.
''The American people are entitled to be sure about the integrity of the game,'' Specter said in a telephone interview with the newspaper. ''It's analogous to the CIA destruction of tapes. Or any time you have records destroyed.''

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Why is the government getting involved with this? Why is the government getting involved in the steriods in baseball? Why is the government getting involved in sports at all?

Ace · #2 02-01-2008, 12:35 PM

Right. I think it's the gov't job to bully around anyone or anything that brings in more money than them. This is crazy. I can understand the "drug" thing but come on he cheated, got caught...end of story

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Jessica · #3 02-01-2008, 01:05 PM

You'd think they have enough to discuss amongst themselves, but nooooo.

I think it's the same reason that they get involved in anything domestic. Specter probably owes someone who cares a big favor.

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Roogle · #4 02-01-2008, 01:20 PM

C'mon! Doesn't Arlen Specter have a corruption case that he needs to work on. Football is entertainment. Who cares if they taped something that everyone at home can see most of? I got some plays i've seen on my DVR. Is that illegal if i memorize them?

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Jessica · #5 02-01-2008, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roogle

C'mon! Doesn't Arlen Specter have a corruption case that he needs to work on. Football is entertainment. Who cares if they taped something that everyone at home can see most of? I got some plays i've seen on my DVR. Is that illegal if i memorize them?

Only if it's a slow day in Washington

SCRAPPY · #6 02-01-2008, 02:28 PM

I'm with Ace.. They cheated, got caught, payed hefty fine.. Over and done with..
What does Specter want with the tapes anyway?? Everybody knew what was on those tapes..

Decent · #7 02-01-2008, 02:49 PM

Why is the government getting involved with this? Why is the government getting involved in the steriods in baseball? Why is the government getting involved in sports at all?

For the same reason they get involved in everything they need to stay out of. Because the South lost the war, thereby allowing us all to be governed by a Federal Government instead of a state government. Now the Federal Government has gotten so big that they have a department for everything are creating new ones everyday, eventually there's going to be a department of underpants, to make sure everyone wears fresh ones everyday.

Kid Lester · #8 02-01-2008, 03:14 PM

I totally understand the baseball thing.

Baseball is granted anti-trust exemptions by the federal government. It has no fear of competetion from any other entity. As such, it is always subject to government regulation.

Football, however, enjoys no such luxury.

The league dealt squarely with this issue. Let's move on.

Does Arlen Specter expect to be contacted every time there is a coach's challenge? Does he want to have input on where to spot the ball?

What the Patriots did is not a violation of any U.S. law. So f*ck off, Arlen.

Steroids, however, have been illegal for quite some time.

limeychap · #9 02-04-2008, 09:18 AM

He's just trying to get his name in the papers, it's such bull. He should know about cover ups more than anyone. He was part of the Warren commision and the single bullet theory.

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