Pats Whacked With $750K Fine

Team and coach fined; New England also forfeits a top draft pick
By Jesse Andrews,  Newser Staff
Posted Sep 14, 2007 4:33 AM CDT
Pats Whacked With $750K Fine
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell answers questions at the end of the NFL owners' meeting in this May 22, 2007 file photo in Nashville, Tenn. Goodell has become as high-profile as his most famous (and notorious) players. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)   (Associated Press)

Steely-eyed NFL commissioner Roger Goodell bolstered his reputation as a stern disciplinarian by levying heavy penalties against New England for using a videocamera to spy on Jets coaches as they signaled to their team during last week's game. New England was fined $250,000 and will lose at least one top 2008 draft pick; additionally, coach Bill Belichick was fined a whopping $500,000.

Belichick's fine is the most against any coach in league history. The Patriots will lose a first-round pick if they make the playoffs, and second- and third-rounders if they don't. Goodell decided against suspending Belichick, explaining: "I believe that the discipline I am imposing [is] more effective than a suspension." (More NFL stories.)

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