Belichick Patriots Punished Severely By NFL: Lose Draft Pick and 750K Fine!

The New England Patriots won't be filming any body's signals for a long, long time. The NFL dropped the hammer on the franchise and head coach Bill Belichick today. The league levied the highest fine possible, $500K, on Belichick, as well as a $250K fine for the team, and took away the teams first round draft pick this year provided they make playoffs. If they fail to make the playoffs, the team loses its second and third round picks this year.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell released this statement

"I specifically considered whether to impose a suspension on Coach Belichick," Goodell wrote. "I have determined not to do so, largely because I believe that the discipline I am imposing of a maximum fine and forfeiture of a first-round draft choice, or multiple draft choices, is in fact more significant and long-lasting, and therefore more effective, than a suspension."

"This episode represents a calculated and deliberate attempt to avoid longstanding rules designed to encourage fair play and promote honest competition on the playing field," Goodell wrote in a letter to the Patriots.

NFL policy states that "no video recording devices of any kind are permitted to be in use in the coaches' booth, on the field, or in the locker room during the game" and that all video shooting locations for club coaching purposes "must be enclosed on all sides with a roof overhead."