The New England Patriots got ahead of the NFL a bit with a statement on the videotaping incident on Sunday in Cincinnati.
The team says the three-person video team sent to Cincinnati Sunday was there to film for the team’s “Do Your Job” series but admits there was inappropriate video taken.
The Patriots wrote that there was “no intention” of using the footage for any other purpose but the series — a claim Bill Belichick made himself earlier on Monday. The team also wrote that the video crew “unknowingly violated a league policy by filming the field and sideline from the press box.”
The Patriots also say that the video crew “immediately turned over all footage to the league and cooperated fully” when approached by the league over this matter.
Interestingly, one ESPN report indicates quite another thing transpired when the videographer was caught filming the Cincinnati sideline for the entire first quarter.
It’s going to be fascinating to see how this all unfolds for the Patriots as the NFL continues to investigate. The team’s history of breaking the rules will not work in its favor, to be sure, if the league determines punishment need be applied.