December 23, 2024

4. Spy Gate

This scandal erupted earlier in the season when the New England Patriots were accused of illegally videotaping signals of opposing coaching staffs. Belichick and the Patriots were fined, lost draft picks and had to apologize. They went on to have an unbeaten regular season and the scandal faded by the time Super Bowl XXLII arrived. But, on the eve of the game a Boston Herald report cited ex-Pats employee Matt Walsh hinting that Belichick authorized him to tape a Rams practice walk-through before Super Bowl XXXVI. The source of the accusation proved to be shaky at best, but the damage was done as it gave the media and late-night comedians a treasure-trove of material.

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