Sources told the Daily News that Herm Edwards, then the Jets head coach, and his defensive coordinator Donnie Henderson not only noticed a camera aimed at them from the opposite sideline during a game between the Jets and Patriots, but they waved at it. (Does this constitute consent?)
The News' report also said the videotape was apparently one of six tapes Belichick turned over to the league that were subsequently destroyed by the order of NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. (more)
But spying has always existed in football and other professional sports. A marvelous book, "The Echoing Green
," documents how the 1951 New York Giants utilized a telescope to steal opposing catchers' signs — and relay them to the batters.Papa Bear George Halas, it has been claimed, paid young men to listen to and film other teams' practices. The old Kansas City Chiefs were accused of being the worst spying offenders — by Al Davis, who was accused of bugging AFL teams' locker rooms. The Broncos purportedly had two spies a long time ago at a San Diego workout, writing plays on the inside of paper cups.
A former NFL coach told me at the recent Super Bowl in Arizona that his team cheated regularly. "We did everything you can imagine to get information on
the teams we were playing. The more technology, the easier you can get stuff. It's common in the league," he said.Belichick was caught.
Now, Congress is involved. (more)
"The weed of crime bears bitter fruit..."
