Bill Belichick addressed the latest videotaping allegations against the New England Patriots almost immediately after they surfaced on Monday, and his stance on the situation has not changed at all two days later.
Belichick was asked on Wednesday about the NFL’s investigation into his team reportedly videotaping several minutes of the Cincinnati Bengals’ sideline during their game against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, and he remained adamant that neither he nor any member of New England’s football staff had any hand in it.
Belichick very direct and slightly agitated with questions regarding taping situation with #Bengals #Patriots pic.twitter.com/iz9WY4tqWe
— Michael Giardi (@MikeGiardi) December 11, 2019
“The football staff and the coaching staff had nothing to do with what happened,” Belichick said emphatically. “Nothing. We have no involvement in it.”
Belichick said the scout who was being filmed for the team’s “Do Your Job” feature was doing just that, his job. He then stopped addressing the situation and said the team’s statement covered everything.
Even more agitated here. Belichick is done explaining. pic.twitter.com/H3UNL4X1nG
— Michael Giardi (@MikeGiardi) December 11, 2019
The Patriots have acknowledged that a videographer working for them illegally filmed the playing field during Sunday’s game in Cleveland, but they say it was simply a matter of him not knowing NFL regulations prohibited it. Belichick immediately distanced himself from the incident as soon as it went public, and one report says the cameraman who was filming the field was doing so right out in the open. The NFL may take that to mean he truly was unaware that he was doing something wrong, though the Patriots could still be disciplined because of their history.
