Patriots suspend Bengals sideline videographer; could lose pick
The New England Patriots have reportedly suspended the videographer who was responsible for illegally filming the Cincinnati Bengals sideline last week.
In a story that is still very much developing, the New England Patriots have reportedly suspended the videographer who was caught illegally filming the Cincinnati Bengals sideline last Sunday during the NFL game between the Bengals and the Browns.
Bleacher Report cited multiple other sources that suggested the team suspend Dave Mondillo at some point this past week before New England’s game against Cincinnati on Sunday. Mondillo was interrogated by a Bengals security staffer at the game in Cleveland, and initially told the staffer that he was only there filming an advance scout who works for the Patriots as part of the team’s “Do Your Job” series online.
The Bengals staffer argued with Mondillo and recorded Mondillo’s camera footage as well as their conversation, pointing out that “I don’t see the advanced scout in any of this video they’re shooting.”
Portions of the video were released on Sunday by Fox Sports.
The NFL is currently investigating the incident, which has quickly been nicknamed “Spygate 2.0” because of the similarities between this scandal and a similar incident that occurred back in 2007. At that time, New England head coach Bill Belichick and the Patriots organization were fined a first-round draft pick and $750,000 ($500K for Belichick and $250K for the team) for illegally filming signals on the New York Jets’ sideline.
Belichick has firmly denied any wrongdoing in this 2019 scandal, stating repeatedly that he had no knowledge of the video crew’s actions or intentions in Cleveland. He has insisted that the New England football operations has nothing to do with the production crew for “Do Your Job,” and that whatever footage is shot, he and members of his staff do not view or use to gain any kind of strategic advantage.
According to Bleacher Report’s Timothy Rapp, the Patriots are facing the loss “of at least one draft pick” as well as “heavy fines” for their role in this latest controversy. The only question now is who will be held responsible and found guilty in the NFL investigation.
New England has owned up to the fact that their staffers made a mistake and broke NFL rules – it’s just a question of whether Belichick, team owner Robert Kraft, and/or other team officials were aware of the wrongdoing as well.
Next. Patriots nominate Kyle Van Noy for Man of the Year award. dark
The league is expected to conclude its investigation before the playoffs commence. Whatever penalties the Patriots incur are expected to impact the team’s fortunes in the future as opposed to anytime during this current season and playoff push.