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Roger Goodell says he felt "deceived" by New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick
Updated: February 2, 2011, 1:51 PM ET
Goodell critical of Spygate apology
ESPNBoston.com
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said he felt "deceived" by Bill Belichick in the wake of the Spygate scandal in 2007, telling Sports Illustrated recently that the New England Patriots coach did not fulfill his obligation to "tell his side of the story" after the league handed down its punishment for illegally videotaping opponents.
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After he issued fines of $500,000 to Belichick and $250,000 to the team, and docked the Patriots a first-round draft pick, Goodell said he told team owner Robert Kraft that, as another part of the penalty, that Belichick would have to make a verbal apology in front of reporters. Belichick issued only a printed statement apologizing for his actions and refused to answer questions in a subsequent news conference.
"I was given assurances that [Belichick] would tell his side of the story," Goodell told Sports Illustrated. "He went out and stonewalled the press. I feel like I was deceived."
Belichick denied the allegation to SI.
"I did not make any assurances about thoroughly discussing the subject publicly," he told the magazine. "I said I would address it following the league's review. I then did that in a way I thought was appropriate. I don't think that was deceptive."
Updated: February 2, 2011, 1:51 PM ET
Goodell critical of Spygate apology
ESPNBoston.com
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said he felt "deceived" by Bill Belichick in the wake of the Spygate scandal in 2007, telling Sports Illustrated recently that the New England Patriots coach did not fulfill his obligation to "tell his side of the story" after the league handed down its punishment for illegally videotaping opponents.
Check out our new page on Facebook, where we share your passion for Boston sports and provide an outlet to vent, celebrate and debate. Will you be our friend?
After he issued fines of $500,000 to Belichick and $250,000 to the team, and docked the Patriots a first-round draft pick, Goodell said he told team owner Robert Kraft that, as another part of the penalty, that Belichick would have to make a verbal apology in front of reporters. Belichick issued only a printed statement apologizing for his actions and refused to answer questions in a subsequent news conference.
"I was given assurances that [Belichick] would tell his side of the story," Goodell told Sports Illustrated. "He went out and stonewalled the press. I feel like I was deceived."
Belichick denied the allegation to SI.
"I did not make any assurances about thoroughly discussing the subject publicly," he told the magazine. "I said I would address it following the league's review. I then did that in a way I thought was appropriate. I don't think that was deceptive."
