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Shanahan denies spying allegation

By Jeff Legwold, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published March 4, 2008 at 12:45 a.m.

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In the wake of recent "Spygate" charges against the New England Patriots and the controversy surrounding the NFL'S destruction of evidence in the case, Broncos coach Mike Shanahan has vigorously denied an Internet report he hired someone to videotape San Diego Chargers practices.

Through his attorney, Shanahan has demanded in recent days a retraction and apology from the Web site that posted the report in September.

A one-paragraph portion of a story posted Sept. 13 on Yahoo Sports - it has been referenced in area media outlets the past two weeks - said the Chargers hired extra security "several years ago" to post on a hill adjacent to the team's practice complex in weeks leading to games against the Broncos.

The story added the security personnel were hired because "Broncos coach Mike Shanahan had been hiring spies to videotape Chargers practices." The story also said the NFL had been aware of the videotaping, that a league official had seen one of the tapes and no action was taken because the NFL had considered the matter "a team issue."

In a letter addressed to Yahoo senior NFL writer Jason Cole and sent to the company's corporate headquarters in Sunnyvale,

Calif., Shanahan's attorney, Harvey Steinberg, of Denver, called the paragraph regarding Shanahan in the original story "completely untrue and without foundation."

Copies of the letter also were sent to Yahoo CEO Jerry Wang, president Susan Decker, co- founder David Filo and executive vice president and general counsel Michael J. Callahan.

The letter goes on to say "Coach Shanahan has never engaged in any such practice, let alone even discussed the possibility of any such activities. As a result, this article is defamatory and libelous."

The letter also asserts Shanahan was not contacted to comment on the story before it was published, which was "in our mind, evidence of either actual malice towards coach Shanahan or reckless disregard for the truth."

The Broncos said Monday that Shanahan would refer to the letter as his public response to the story.

The letter also states the NFL has told Shanahan and his representatives the league never was made aware of any "alleged spying" on Chargers practices or of the existence of any videotape.

The league also is said to have denied any league official has seen the videotape referenced in the story.

Asked Monday about the original Yahoo story, NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said in a statement: "We were aware of no such thing. The report is bogus and does not cite any sources for the erroneous information."

Cole said Monday he had not seen the letter and referred comment to Yahoo Sports executive editor Dave Morgan. Morgan said he had seen the letter but could not comment at this time.

The reference to Shanahan in the original Yahoo story was in the eighth paragraph of a larger story quoting Hall of Fame Dolphins center Jim Langer about the lengths he believed teams would go to to gain an advantage. The story also included references to Raiders owner Al Davis.

Comments

  • March 4, 2008

    6:59 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    R8R_H8R writes:

    I BELIEVE that Shanahan did not look @ tape of the San Diego Chargers. I also believe that he does not look at tape of available Free Agents. And I ALSO Believe that he does not look at any tape of any Rookie Draft Class prospects. I think he's watching Barney repeats, based on the state of the team.

  • March 4, 2008

    7:26 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    sharkcub writes:

    The way the Chargers have been blowing out the Broncos lately I think Shanny should concentrate more on "masterminding" his own team rather than worrying about his opponent.

  • March 4, 2008

    8:20 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    SE7EN writes:

    If Shanny was taping the Chargers the past couple of years, you sure couldn't tell by the outcome of the game. BLOWOUTS BABY!

  • March 4, 2008

    8:50 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    princess writes:

    If he was cheating then would he allow us to get spanked like we did? If we were like that Pats don't you think we would have a better season the 7-9. How stupid that guy must be a Pats fan and wants to take down the team who has there number and since it can't be on the field it will be done with lies.

  • March 4, 2008

    9:06 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    rickg19611 writes:

    Shanahan reviews videotape? Since when? The proof is the performance of the team over the past few years. That is enough to prove that Shanahan doesn't view tape, doesn't attend the games, doesn't attend practice..... in fact, he's been in a coma since 1999.

  • March 4, 2008

    9:30 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Squatch writes:

    They must have been videotaping a different Chrgers team since they kicked the crap out Denver both games.

    Say it aint so Shanny. Tell me you're not like that Ahole Billy B.

  • March 4, 2008

    12:06 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    justafan writes:

    Maybe he was taping the Charger cheerleaders. That would be worth a couple of draft picks, maybe some financial penalty.

  • March 4, 2008

    1:42 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    myerda00 writes:

    If you fans (?) can not post relivant info and just want to blog then get out of here.
    The media just loves to stir up stuff to see if something might stick. Like no sources are listed and the NFL has no record of any of it. Shanahan would NEVER break a rule, just not his nature.

  • March 4, 2008

    6:39 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Ringo writes:

    The Chargers didn't give any credence to these allegations and consider this a subject unworthy of comment.The practice fields in San Diego are tucked away in a canyon , to film this area without being discovered would require satellite technology.

  • March 4, 2008

    9:26 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    coloisla writes:

    Again..... I ask you Shannahan naysayers to offer up a better choice...as in WHO would you like to see replace him?

  • March 5, 2008

    2:25 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    GlobNut writes:

    and Travis Henry didn't inhale.

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