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by Robert Kennzington

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GOODELL'S ODD BEHAVIOR AN INDICATION THERE IS MORE TO "SPY-GATE" THAN THE NFL WANTS US TO KNOW...

After observing Senator Arlen Specter's continuing accusations question NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell's odd decision to DESTROY the spy-gate tapes, I decided to call a private investigator friend I know with a 30 year history in specialized electronic surveillance (including military surveillance and corporate spying) to ask him, "What could Goodell possibly be hiding?"

Listening to my friend (who prefers I refer to him only as "X") describe a lifetime career of surveillance, one thing became very clear: some pretty scary surveillance technology is available and regularly used by some pretty scary people who have power, want information, are willing to spend allot of money to get it, and don't mind breaking a few eaves-dropping laws to find out what they want to know. (For at least one NFL coach we know of, that isn't completely out of the realm of comparison.)

"X" described in great detail how illegal corporate spying is a HUGE industry "almost as prevalent as military spying," as he explained that, compared to corporate spying, it would be "remarkably easy" to create a surveillance scheme to 'bug' an NFL team. Frankly, until I learned how outrageously far some people with true Machiavellian determination will go to get information they want, I NEVER would have taken this scenario seriously. But now I'm not so sure. Because if what "X" suspects may be happening with spy-gate, is possible, there's no denying that it certainly provides a scenario that what make Goo dell's behavior make ALLOT of sense.

"X" says that for a price of "about the same amount of money NFL teams pay an average starting player to play one game" a "professional" could easily 'wire' practically EVERYWHERE that NFL coaches "coach" - regardless if on the practice field; stadium sideline or even IN their locker room! I was shocked to hear it would be even EASIER for him to "clean-tap" (ie: undetectable) into the coaches electronic communication system (the headphones NFL coaches use to discuss WHICH PLAY to call during games) and that the easiest job of all would be to "intercept" the play-calling instructions that are "radio-sent" to the quarterback's helmet!

"X" ASSURES me that someone with the budget of an NFL franchise "and the willingness to see it through" would be able to acquire (hire) high-tech surveillance "underground professionals" that he believes could enable a team to "know" the play an opposing team is calling DURING an NFL game! He matter-of-factly described how, for one team to 'know' the opponents play BEFORE it occurs, you would route all your surveillance of coach-talk (headsets, radio transmissions, bench, etc) together into one 'party-line' in a direct feed to ONE "dispatcher" headset located in the (soundproof) coaches booth. As the 'dispatcher' listened to opposing coaches decide which play to call, his headset microphone would have a dedicated feed to ONE sideline coach, who would use basic hand signals to convey the key elements of the opponent's UPCOMING play (run; pass; right-left; etc.) to the defensive captains on the field. He says if it is done correctly, the defense should know the offense's play BEFORE the offense hears it from the QB in the huddle!

But even if it IS possible to 'bug' the other team - the real question is: Is winning games in the NFL so "valuable" that an NFL coach (or team) would really go to THAT extreme just to "win a football game?" We've all observed the extreme personal sacrifices, and eccentric, obsessive efforts NFL coaches go through to win. Financially - the job is worth MILLIONS. But would any coach or team exec spend, risk, and CHEAT to the extreme of this level just to achieve the status and opportunity of coaching a Super Bowl Champion? Is there THAT much on the line?

In fact there are millions of dollars being spent and earned by thousands NFL team executives, owners and corporate sponsors, most of whom would certainly view winning football games as VERY valuable. And, that's not even considering the gambling possibilities, which are FAR superior to basketball and tennis (tennis?) Yet, last year an NBA referee and a pro tennis player were caught in gambling schemes. But would a "coach" actually do something "illegal" to win games?

The immensity of NCAA coaches caught cheating every year; to the steroid scandals of recent years, going all the way back to Pete Rose, and even Nancy Kerrigan's knee being attacked with a hammer, all provide the harsh reality that for people involved professional sports (or trying to get there) it is NOT "just a game" - it's a multi-million dollar opportunity that many will risk their well being, whether physical, financial or even the risk of a criminal record, for the opportunities offered by professional sport.

The NFL is the financial pinnacle of professional sport - a MULTIBILLION dollar cash cow, that not only represents absolute fortunes of money to players, coaches and NFL executives, but it also presents multi-billion dollar franchise owners and corporate sponsors a "world-stage" where they compete for fame, status and political influence, which many see as the ultimate form of POWER. (What other "company" gets a call from a United States President, and the largest television event watched the world over, when they beat out their competition for the year?) Realistically, when you think about what's really at stake, its hard to believe that MOST NFL coaches, if literally offered the opportunity to "know" what play the other team was going to run - WOULDN'T be tempted.

But here's the thing... IF someone DID go to that extreme - and it ever got OUT - it could DESTROY the entire multi-billion dollar value of the NFL product. If the NFL commissioner discovered THIS level of technology was used, he would absolutely HAVE to try to bury it. Yet, after what happened with Marian Jones, Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds, he would KNOW that he couldn't "lie" about it...

If he was ASKED.

THAT scenario, or something like it, might explain what's been tapped into with spy-gate. Professional sports commissioners are hired for POLITICAL ability. Clearly, Goodall has those talents, A common political strategy for "damage control" is to DESTROY evidence of wrong doing and THEN acknowledge you discovered and stopped "it." That way no one really knows how bad it got. Haven't we witnessed EXACTLY this type situation, with politicians, military officials; CEO's, caught in these types of situations, and how they are coached to respond EXACTLY within a "specific" format? (remember "does 'is' mean 'is'"?)

"X" says this is what he would advise Goodell to do. Theoretically, he would be doing nothing "legally" dishonest. He could admit to having seen "sideline" tapes, "other" camera angles, and "some microphones", and just lump it all together and everything he said would be TRUE. He could then rely on the likelihood that no one would ever "word" a question that could really force him to differentiate between describing the tapes - and "THE" tapes...

Is this what professional sports has come to?

Consider this irony. Due to the motivational/ticket selling role they serve, COACHES are one profession that almost never provides this type of protected "lawyer" interview - except ONE. In fact the one 'trademark' noticeable difference - that sets Bill Belichek apart from ALL other coaches - is the way he answers questions at a press conference. If you listen carefully, it's very clear that he is well trained at this technique. His non-committal answers are very carefully worded - they DON'T lie. He definitely knows what he is doing. And, while the media might make fun of his "boring" personality, they also refer to him as a "genius." After all, he did WIN all those Super Bowls!

Maybe Goodell took a little more from Belichek than just "video-tape" secrets.

I know; That's an extreme assumption. But destroying those tapes was an extreme reaction - and it was an extreme action which also happened to destroy ANY chance of something THAT extreme happening to the NFL...

...protecting an EXTREMELY valuable commodity.

Learn more about this author, Robert Kennzington.

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