Patriots Release Statement Following Bengals Video Controversy

The New England Patriots may be in trouble after sending their production crew to record parts of the game between the Cleveland Browns and the Cincinnati Bengals. Things wouldn’t be this bad if the Patriots weren’t playing the Bengals on Sunday. According to sources, the Patriots production crew member inadvertently violated NFL protocol by filming portions of the game in Cleveland, using the Browns’ press box.

New England released a statement Monday night, acknowledging a production staffer “without specific knowledge of league rules inappropriately filmed the field from the press box” while recording B-roll for the “Do Your Job” web series.

According to this statement, the sole purpose of the recording was to ensure an image of an advance scout at work on the road. The organization didn’t plan to use the video for any other purpose. They also understand and acknowledge that the crew video unknowingly violate a NFL policy by shooting the field and the sdelines.

The production crew turned over the footage to the NFL and offered full cooperation. The production crew has nothing to do with the players. Head coach Bill Belichick and the players are in no way involved in planning, filming or creative decisions made during the production of those features.

Robert Kraft’s organization does accept full responsibility for the actions of the production crew in Cleveland.

The Bengals have yet to release a statement

The Patriots called their failure to notify Cincinnati or the league of their plans to send a camera crew at the stadium. New England did receive permission from Cleveland to record in the press box at FirstEnergy Stadium.

“The sole purpose of the filming was the provide an illustration of an advance scout at work on the road,” the statement read. There was no intention of using the footage for any other purpose. We understand and acknowledge that our video crew, which included independent contractors who shot the video, unknowingly violated a league policy by filming the field and sideline from the press box.

“When questioned, the crew immediately turned over all footage to the league and cooperated fully. The production crew is independent of our football operation. While aware that one of the scouts was being profiled for a ‘Do Your Job’ episode, our football staff had no other involvement whatsoever in the planning, filming or creative decisions made during the production of these features.

“We accept full responsibility for the actions of our production crew at the Browns-Bengals game.”

Statement from the New England Patriots. pic.twitter.com/rhXdwVvnr8

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) December 10, 2019

Coach Belichick addressed the allegations too. He said the Patriots coaching staff and players have zero involvement in the activities of the production crew. The team is in no way related to the filming that took place in Cleveland. They only watch videos released on TV.

Belichick is well aware of the rules the NFL has for similar activities, so he provided a lengthy statement regarding the incident. Will the NFL fine the Patriots coach even if he is innocent of the accusations? Let’s see what happens in the next few days.