LEGAL LINE VOL. VII

FROM GENIUS TO CHEAT - DID BILL GET WHAT HE DESERVED?
By Scott Daniels, Esq., NFL Draft Bible

He was considered one of the smartest coaches in the NFL. He led the New England Patriots to Superbowl victories in 2001, 2003 and 2004. He's at the helm of one of the greatest professional sports teams in the current decade. He's also at the center of a major controversy involving his team's alleged cheating tactics. Bill Belichick, a man once regarded as a football genius, will now be remembered as a cheat.

A few weeks ago, a Patriots video assistant was caught by NFL officials taping the New York Jets' defensive signals. Following the game, the Jets made formal complaints to the league and Belichick and the Patriots were exploited by the league and the media.

While Belichick caught an incredible amount of criticism and was penalized financially by the league, Roger Goodell's decision not to suspend Belichick is under a great deal of scrutiny. For starters, Belichick was at the forefront of a major operation that gave his club an overwhelming advantage in an otherwise pure game. This is a serious scandal that may very well be running rampant in the NFL. Goodell needed to send a message to all coaches that this type of conduct will not be tolerated. His failure to punish Belichick severely could lead other coaches towards a path of deceit.

Historically, cheating has long been a problem in the sports world. Let's take a look back at some infamous cheats and compare their penalties to the likes of Bill Belichick's.

SAMMY SOSA

Steroid allegations on Sosa are endless, but mere speculation at this point. What Sosa was caught with in 2003 was a corked bat. Umpires discovered his "juiced" bat during a game and Sosa claimed he grabbed the bat "by mistake."

Sosa gained an advantage by corking his bat. Belichick gained an advantage by videotaping his opponent's defensive coaches, a move strictly prohibited by the NFL. Difference between the two? Nothing. They are both cheaters.

DAVID ROBERTSON

During a 1985 British Open qualifier, Robertson was caught moving his ball on the green to a more favorable spot closer to the hole. Players in the tournament eventually realized what was happening and quickly notified officials.

Belichick's actions weren't exactly as obvious as Robertson's, but they still tainted the game.

McLAREN RACING TEAM

In a scandal that has shocked the Formula One Racing world, the McLaren Team was found to have used leaked secret documents belonging to Ferrari. On top of a hefty fine, McLaren may face more punishment if the World Motor Sport Council finds further fraudulent conduct.

Both Belichick and McLaren Racing participated in a form of espionage. Both broke the rules of their respective sports and used their opponents' secretive information to advance their own goals.

Comparison of Punishments

Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots - Belichick was personally fined $500,000. The Patriots were fined an additional $250,000. The Patriots will also lose their first round draft pick if they make the playoffs. If they do not make the playoffs, they will lose their second and third round draft picks.

Sammy Sosa - Suspended eight games (reduced to seven after appeal).

David Robertson - Fined 20,000 pounds (equivalent to around $30,000 at the time) and banned from the PGA European Tour for 20 years.

McLaren Racing Team - Fined $100 Million and stripped of it's points in the "constructors' standings." (Until this point, McLaren had the point lead).

It seems obvious that Belichick's punishment was by far the lightest. In a written statement by Belichick following his embarrassing incident, he stated: "My interpretation of a rule in the [NFL] Constitution and Bylaws was incorrect." Maybe Belichick and the Patriots didn't think they were acting outside the rules when they taped the Jets' defensive signals. In the court of law, ignorance of the law is not an excuse. Luckily for Belichick, his fate did not rest in the hands of a Judge or jury. However, in the public eye, Belichick will be remembered among sports' most infamous cheats.