Specter Wants Further ‘Spygate’ Probe

Blogcasting the National Football League, Blogcasting the NFL

In his press conference today following yesterday’s meeting with former New England Patriots video assistant Matt Walsh, Senator Arlen Specter called for an independent investigation of the Patriots’ videotaping of opposing coaches’ signals — aka “Spygate.” He doesn’t feel the NFL’s investigation was objective and was unforgiving in his criticism of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. Senator Specter said, in-part:

“What is necessary is an objective investigation. And this one has not been objective. They (the NFL) are enormous role models for everybody. If you can cheat in the NFL, you can cheat in college, you can cheat in high school, you can cheat on your grade-school math test. There’s no limit as to what you can do. I think they owe the public a lot more candor and a lot more credibility.”

Naturally, the NFL stood firm in their investigation, which had seemingly concluded until this request surfaced today. A statement from the league office this afternoon read:

“We respectfully disagree with Senator Specter’s characterization of the investigation conducted by our office. We are following up after yesterday’s meeting with Matt Walsh.”

Senator Specter said he would prefer the NFL arrange the independent investigation and was willing to wait several months before calling for Congress to take what he called “corrective action.” Such action could include hearings or a full-blown Mitchell Report-type investigation. He said public reaction would determine the NFL’s next step.

Once again, here’s my public reaction. Case closed. This is a waste of everyone’s time. I’ve heard enough about “Spygate.” The tapes have been turned over. The admission of guilt has been made. The punishment has been handed down. What more is going to come of this other than negative publicity for the NFL? I don’t believe Congress or any other investigating body is going to dig up any worthwhile information.

Senator Specter has had the same agenda since this story broke last season. He didn’t like the fact that some tapes were destroyed. (Commissioner Goodell has explained why the tapes were destroyed time and time again.) His meeting with Matt Walsh yesterday didn’t change that. He thinks he’s going to dig up some shocking new discoveries, but I think all his efforts will be a waste of time and resources.

Source: NFL.com, Photo: Newscom