Spy scandal has not tainted Patriots' season: Goodell

By Larry Fine

PHOENIX (Reuters) - A spying scandal at the start of the season had not tainted the achievements of the New England Patriots, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said on Friday.

Goodell fined New England coach Bill Belichick $500,000, the team $250,000 and took away the Pats' first-round draft pick after they were found to have broken NFL rules by using videotape to try and steal signs against the New York Jets.

"I don't think it taints their accomplishments," Goodell told reporters ahead of the Super Bowl between the Patriots and the New York Giants when asked about the incident in the Pats' season-opener.

"The action that we took was decisive and it was unprecedented. It sent a loud message to not only the Patriots, but every NFL team that you should follow the rules and you better follow the rules."

New England finished the regular season unbeaten with a 16-0 record, added two playoff wins and can complete an unprecedented 19-0 season with victory in the NFL title game. Miami went 17-0 overall in winning the Super Bowl in January 1973.

"I think what they did this season was certainly done within the rules on a level playing field. I think their record is extraordinary. As we all know, it's never been done before at 18-0. I think they should be congratulated on that."

The issue was revived with a call by U.S. Senator Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania for the NFL, which destroyed videotapes it had confiscated, to explain the incident to Congress.

Specter questioned whether the 2005 Super Bowl win by the Patriots over the Philadelphia Eagles was achieved unfairly.