NFL Will Conduct 'Thorough Review' Of Gillette Headset Issues
BOSTON (CBS) -- Here we go again, with another investigation involving the New England Patriots.
If you thought deflated footballs was insanity at its best, now we're heading to an investigation about headsets. Air pressure in football still takes the cake, but this new investigation is threatening to reach the same level of absurdity.
The Pittsburgh Steelers were up in arms Thursday night, mainly head coach Mike Tomlin, over headset issues they experienced in the first half of their season opening loss at Gillette Stadium. Tomlin couldn't communicate with his coaches, with the Patriots' radio network bleeding into their headsets.
Haven't we all learned that nothing ever works at Gillette Stadium? Guess not.
The NFL responded Thursday night, saying the issues were "caused by a stadium power infrastructure issue, which was exacerbated by the inclement weather." The statement also made it clear that it's the NFL that provides the headsets for both teams, hoping to squash any future cheating allegations against New England.
The Steelers will not be filing any complaints with the NFL, but the league will investigate the matter. Like headphone issues, that is common practice.
Michael Signora, the league's vice president of football communications, released another statement Friday morning, this time adding the home team "is responsible for the installation and maintenance of that equipment."
Every team's game day communications personnel are required to work with the NFL communications consultants to ensure wireless equipment is free and clear of interference and address any problems. Technological and stadium infrastructure issues of this type happen at many stadiums around the league and whenever there are issues of this nature, we do a thorough review.
So investigating bad headsets sounds like it happens quite often in the NFL. Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reported the NFL will conduct "an on-site study of the infrastructure this weekend," but their investigation will likely take a while.
An NFL investigation taking a while? Who would have thought?
