AP
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is willing to pursue any believable information in the Spygate case. He simply doesnât know if any exists.
Goodell said today that the league has been in touch with representatives of former Patriots assistant coach Matt Walsh, now a golf pro in Maui. Walsh did video work for the Patriots when they won their first Super Bowl after the 2001 season, and was not interviewed as part of the NFLâs investigation into New England illegally taping opposing coaches in the last two years. ESPN.com reported that Goodell said the NFL is willing to give Walsh legal indemnification for any information and materials he would provide to the league regarding his work with the Patriots.
League attorneys are working with an attorney for Walsh to get an agreement in place for Walsh to meet with league officials.
In general legal terms, indemnity is a guarantee against any loss which another might suffer, often financially.
Sen. Arlen Specter, with whom Goodell said he expects to meet in the next week or so, questioned the thoroughness of the NFLâs investigation that led to a $500,000 fine for coach Bill Belichick, a $250,000 fine for the Patriots organization, and the loss of this yearâs first-round draft pick. Specter also wondered why Goodell had the six tapes turned over by the Patriots destroyed, along with notes the team gave Goodell.
âIf there is new information that is credible, new material that could be credible that would help us,â Goodell said, âyes, weâll look at it.
âWeâve had people come to us over the last six months with material that we pursued and it didnât lead to anything.â
Walsh, who did not return phone messages and an e-mail from The Associated Press, reportedly videotaped the St. Louis Ramsâ walkthrough the day before the February 2002 Super Bowl against New England.
âWe were aware of this before,â Goodell said. âWe pursued it and werenât able to get any information that was credible. We were aware of some of the rumors and we pursued some of them and we continue that. From Day 1, I said if we feel there is new information thatâs inconsistent with what weâve been told (by the Patriots), I reserve the right to reopen it.
âThe staffs are talking about making sure (Walsh) has the ability to talk and what information he might have.â