When the going gets tough - its time to cheat!

During the opening weekend game between the New England Patriots and the New York Jets @ New York, NFL security officials confiscated a camera and videotape from Patriots video assistant Matt Estrella on the New England sidelines when it was suspected he was recording the Jets' defensive signals. Sources say the visual evidence confirmed the suspicion. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has determined that the New England Patriots violated league rules Sunday when they videotaped defensive signals by the New York Jets' coaches.

Shady Brady and Bill Belicheat Video

Punishment:
Commissioner Roger Goodell fined Bill Belichick $500,000 -- the biggest fine ever for an NFL coach -- and the team $250,000. The Patriots also will have to forfeit either a first-round draft choice or second- and third-round picks.

Reflections:
This is not the first time this has happened. According to a source within the NFL, the Green Bay Packers last year kicked out the same Patriots representative being investigated by the league for the Jets incident. the Jets were also said to have reported kicking out the same assistant just one year earlier, but didn't look at the videotape. See History of Cheating for much more.

“Really, sad day for the NFL," - Tony Dungy