Destruction of Football Tapes Spurs Senate Investigation

Senator Arlen Specter wants NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to explain to the Senate Judiciary Committee why he order the destruction of videotapes from the league's investigation of spying by the New England Patriots. Specter's action has to rank in the top of the all time Are-You-Freaking-Kidding-Me Hall of Fame. Little wonder why the approval rating for Congress hovers in the lower- to mid-twenties.

It doesn't help Specter that one of his major contributors is a cable company in a dispute with the NFL.

This is Specter's justification:

Mr. Specter said Thursday that because the N.F.L. has an antitrust exemption in relation to its television contract, the public is entitled to be sure about the integrity of the game. And he compared the destruction of the Patriots’ tapes to the C.I.A.’s destruction of tapes showing the interrogation of terrorism suspects.

“I do believe that it is a matter of importance,” Mr. Specter said at a news conference in Washington on Friday. “It’s not going to displace the stimulus package or the Iraq war, but I think the integrity of football is very important, and I think the National Football League has a special duty to the American people and, in turn, to the Congress because they have an antitrust exemption.”

Specter can posture all he wants, but a lot of money is at stake and that is the only thing driving politicians today. Probably always had been the major motivating factor since time began, as a matter of fact.

We are in no way defending the New England Patriots nor the NFL. We think the Pats are cheaters and the NFL swept their investigation under the rug. But we don't believe the matter rises to the congressional investigation level.