FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) -Patriots coach Bill Belichick apologized Wednesday for the commotion surrounding his team following accusations that his club spied on the Jets during New England’s season-opening victory in New York.
Belichick said he spoke with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell this week about a “videotaping procedure” during last Sunday’s game and “my interpretation of the rules.”
“At this point, we have not been notified of the league’s ruling,” Belichick said in a statement. “Although it remains a league matter, I want to apologize to everyone who has been affected, most of all ownership, staff and players. Following the league’s decision, I will have further comment.”
The statement follows a report that the NFL is considering punishing the Patriots for spying. Belichick refused to elaborate on the statement several times during a news conference. After about 15 minutes discussing Sunday’s game, he was pressed harder on his “interpretation of the rules,” and the coach walked out of the room.
ESPN.com, citing league sources, reported Tuesday that Goodell has determined the Patriots violated league rules Sunday when they videotaped defensive signals by the Jets’ coaches. But the report also said the Patriots have not yet presented their case to the league.
The Web site’s report said Goodell is considering severe sanctions, including docking the Patriots “multiple draft picks.”
A league spokesman, however, said only that an investigation is under way. Both teams said no decision has been made.
NFL security confiscated a video camera and tape from a Patriots employee during New England’s 38-14 victory. The employee was accused of aiming his camera at the Jets’ defensive coaches as they signaled to players on the field.
The statement was issued 10 minutes before the standard Wednesday media availability at which Belichick, like all NFL coaches, discusses Sunday’s game. But few in the media workroom had come to hear about the San Diego Chargers. Belichick begged for a football question.
“Any questions about the Chargers?” he pleaded in his standard other-things-to-do monotone. “Want to talk about the football game? If not, I think that statement pretty much covers it.”
It appeared that he might find no takers, before one reporter asked about defending against Chargers running back LaDanian Tomlinson.
The coach smiled.
“Whatever happens out there Sunday night, out there on the field, that’s where everybody will make their statement,” he said.
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