The Atlanta Falcons have been fined $350,000 and will also have to forfeit a draft pick in 2016 for creating fake stadium noise.
The NFL announced yesterday that Falcons will lose a fifth round draft pick in 2016. If the team has multiple picks during the fifth round, they will lose the highest overall pick.
Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank had this to say,
“What took place was wrong and nowhere near the standards by which we run our business. Anytime there are actions that compromise the integrity of the NFL or threaten the culture of our franchise, as this issue did, they will be dealt with swiftly and strongly.”
These words are less than sincere. Blank attempted to make the problem about the NFL and not about his employees and their?audacity for piping noise into the stadium in an attempt to hinder opposing teams snap count and play calling.
Blank also said,
“The League conducted a thorough investigation of this matter, and we cooperated fully. We understand the penalties imposed and their impact on our team, and we will not appeal the league’s decisions. Further, we have addressed the matter internally and taken actions to ensure that something like this does not happen again.?The Falcons and all of our other businesses are built upon a foundation of values that drive our decision making. This issue was a clear failure in that regard. I apologize for any embarrassment this situation has caused the NFL, our fans, and our Falcons players and associates.”
At any rate, the NFL did identify the person that was responsible piping noise in the stadium. The guilty party was the former director of marketing Roddy White. (Not the four time pro bowl receiver)
Atlanta Falcons President Rich McKay, although supposedly not aware of the violations committed by White, will also be suspended from the league’s competition committee?from April 1st through at least June 30th for failing to ensure that the Atlanta Falcons were in compliance with league rules.
There is a little?humor to be?gleaned from?this matter. The Atlanta Falcons only went 3-4 at the Georgia Dome this season and were stomped week 17?playing the Carolina Panthers and?losing by a whopping?34-3.
The New Orleans Saints were the last team to forfeit picks in 2012 and 2013 which resulted from the bounty scandal. In all, since 1980 the NFL has only taken away 16 draft picks as punishment for various infractions.
