NFL executive Troy Vincent briefly addressed the New England Patriots’ rule-breaking in a videotaping scandal, which started on Sunday when the team recorded the Cincinnati Bengals’ sideline from the press box in Cincinnati in Week 14.
“It’s pending. I’m still gathering information and we’ll continue that when we return to New York,” Vincent told reporters at owner’s meetings in Irving, Texas on Wednesday. “We want to take our time, and make sure we have all the facts.”
The Patriots said in a statement that the footage was intended for a Patriots.com documentary on the life of an advance scout, which is a position that entails viewing the team’s upcoming opponents in-person. The video team, which works for Patirots.com and not the football operation, accidentally filmed the field, likely as an effort to show what the advance scout does: watch the opposing sideline and take notes. But the scout can only watch — and not record — that sideline.
The NFL is inclined to believe the Patriots’ account of the events, according to NFL Network. The videotape doesn’t include what the NFL deems valuable footage. Because the Patriots have openly admitted to breaking the rules, they are likely to face a punishment, even if their transgression was accidental.
