339 - x ! x a ! - e $ ag… FOOTBALL ey are " erence in $ % e person I $ eld can who cials would be ect the of a lot ! # % LARCENY GAMES LARCENY cials. One-time NFL cials could probably # ag whenever the wrong # " xing game, a “ ! ag a defensive on guy hold or cial, the probably umpire. " # ense and defense. Players and coaches cials, talking I’m maybe 20 15, years ago, % # REFEREES ag a runback on throw play not or a " ey are underpaid and overcriticized. cials. a source In gave 1976, information “some $ # x] would be anx] o x. ! cials than players.” is for it ! # ere is another logical reason the why o He’s not alone not in these He’s thoughts. 50 $ cials in the NFL are who allegedly being paid by the hoodlum erent for o for erent # % uence the outcome of a footballuence the of outcome game: the o ag in the zone end you throw or a Despite this, the FBI rarely possessed information causing the Bureau Gambling expert and Larry author Grossman something me told So far only players have been discussed as the focus NFL of game- " " a team’s on a drive, a on a team’s you can only have so many 15-yard penalties and be recover to able from that. I believe that could happen because the money is di investigateto NFL o RE o in “Years 2010, ago I think o makingweren’t did have other enough money, jobs, easy and it’s [to In thegame]. NFL, you can call anytime a hold you want and change if a ing—there’s holding every on play—I mean refs can a action without making obvious. it calls A couple here, calls a couple there, throw you know, a thoseit’s little edges, those little things that can make the di a game.” Complementing that was notion legendary Philadelphia sports radio host Howard Eskin said who in me to an on-air interview WIP on similar. “Look, say in to an NFL who’s game college or game you throw call every it time a play is run. If partner my in crime were the umpire, couldhe the control scoring by dropping his team scored. the try ones to to a perfect target a player for a coach or is who anxious alibi to a poor on performance.” the use hands of by both the o is almostsay it impossible be a play to run for without an infraction of kind.some Holding is the usual call and the o ing probes. there But are the other on out men playing in and AFL owner Harry wrote Wismer of a would [for go to umpire is the man whose primary duty observe is to the blocking and 340 validity to the information being received.” received.” being information to the validity o various of the calls the plotting by FBI the helping in interest an expressed and NYC in tacted ed] o NBA with worked also hoodlums hoodlum these ! BRIAN TUOHY FOOTBALL Monday Night a mostly points. and/or shaving spread the covering by bet their game each for apiece $100,000 referees NFL or three two paying were mobsters York New that claiming informant an from information received FBI di somewhat reached each end the but in information, similar with to begin seemed All Collins. Chuck reporter NBC was third on the And IRS. the another, On FBI. con the and Banker, Martin, by named was referee same However, the scheme. the in involved personally he was details—because any to provide refused game in involved been had referees particular two that Malone, Scott bler told [Moldea’s] William associate, gam Athird anything.’ prove never show up. Butmoney did could we alot of and unnatural We games, referee. some of the watched particular out one me to check wanted me and called Bob 1970s. Iremember late o some of the with games certain about suspicions who told [Moldea], Banker, Vegas had we Lem ‘Yeah, Las gambler was referee] Icould what to see o he was games ‘ games. NFL in and gambling in involved of being referee one particular he 1970s, suspected late the during told me that Martin Bobby “Oddsmaker Moldea wrote, Dan As referees. NFL two around o any with FBI the providing league either went of nowhere signi gures to assist in the outcome of a game. outcome of the agame. in to assist gures $ centering began, investigation 1979But more invasive in another of the NFL and and NFL of the e investigation was a three-pronged a athree-pronged was e investigation ! dential source, who also named the second referee.” second the named who also source, dential ! xed. xed. $ # ! ere was too much unnatural money showing up on the up on the money showing unnatural much too was ere gures is not known.” not is known.” gures $ ciating,’ Martin says. ‘So I put the word out Iput on the [the ‘So says. Martin ciating,’ e referees’ job was to ensure that the mobsters won mobsters the that to ensure jobwas e referees’ [redacted] ! cance; however, there was no further mention of no further was there however, cance; % # airs, and according to the information were: information to the according and airs, % cials to determine if there is any pattern and and pattern any is there if to determine cials ! erent conclusions. erent conclusions. nd out.’ One of those whom Martin called called nd out.’ whom Martin of One those of the NBA NBA of the ! # xing since 1977. since xing source But the cials as well. As a result, “ aresult, As well. as cials $ is same source alleged that these these that alleged source same is $ # % $ " air. On one side was the the one On side was air. cials’ phone records. cials’ e identity or location of or location e identity [redacted] uencing the outcomes of the uencing $ is particular investigation investigation particular is e basic story was the the was story e basic # cials during the the during cials $ have been con been have ese games were were games ese 51 [redact - - - 341 - - - - - FOOTBALL LARCENY GAMES LARCENY xed for thexed for Redskins; xed for Cleveland;xed for played ! xed for Oakland;xed for played ! ! xed for Cleveland;xed for played xed for Houston; playedxed for xed for Oakland;xed for played xed for Seattle;xed for played Mon en, despite passing a poly xed for thexed for Jets; played Mon ! ! ! ! ! $ en the information source’s was considered $ x while playing in a Houston-area high-stakes ! e informant was caught attempting sell to this same $ rst overheard the information regarding the September e FBI trusted him attempt enough record to con to ! $ e source $ Oakland at Raiders, Chargers Oakland at Raiders, Washington at Redskins,New York Cleveland at Browns, at Minnesota Jets at Vikings,New York vs. , Oilers, Houston at vs. , ursday, 10/25/79 — Oaklandursday, 10/25/79 and 45–22 won covered poker game. versations between himself and the person interest. of then But the began.problems information IRS to agents. “nebulous and third- and fourth-hand.” graph examination, the FBI dropped investigation its because received it information that the source was a pathological liar. 17 Redskins-Giants17 $ — Oakland 10/8/79 Monday, 13–3. won Game was pick’em, Oak but land was favored in areas, some Miami in others. was It thought the mobsters did winnot their bets this on game. favored by 3 day, 10/15/79 — Jets won 14–7 and covered 14–7 — Jets won 10/15/79 day, — Washington 27–0 won and covered 9/17/79 played Monday, 9/24/79 — ClevelandMonday, 26–7 won as underdog with Dallas day, 10/29/79 — Seattle and covered in 10/29/79 mostplaces 31–28 won day, — Cleveland and covered9/9/79 27–24 won as 20–17 the won — Houston 12/10/79 underdog withMonday, the Steelers favored 4 by 3 or 342 ment sheets, consists of seven individuals. individuals. of seven consists ment sheets, ateam. as assigned (NFL). League by provided were League ball “ stated, report FBI the As mentioned. game not work did every referees BRIAN TUOHY FOOTBALL investigation the squashed IRS the case, of the charge in agent of the urging the and information credible this Despite line. betting the to alter question in games on enough the large bets place Vegas him watched and $ eight allegedly of the comes o blew FBI whom the informant unknown. remains games which and referees which regarding made, were why they complaints, these made o his by investigated complaints all date, o the by made [redacted] of game claims all investigates ly o an as assigned o his by [redacted] call. erroneous an or making acall, to make position wrong the in being [redacted] playo league to the assigned be game. each o NFL of three apanel by scored are game NFL for each “ past. the in referees regarding ed its o eight games. suspected of the four o question in referees two the Bureau.” So to the teletype re games eight suspected of the each games to two ed] $ at wasn’t all. at wasn’t all. Another signi Another $ how it FBI rated to the revealed NFL the that was note, however, Of and and e enclosed 1979 season o 1979 season e enclosed # ough the FBI gave up, the IRS did not. Why? Because the same same the Because not. Why? did IRS up, the gave FBI the ough cials and that other internal NFL investigations had been conduct been had investigations NFL internal other that and cials # [redacted] ce and watched closely during the the during closely watched and ce stated that the usual complaint is that erroneous calls were were calls erroneous that is complaint usual the that stated o each that advised further o that stated $ # e purpose for this scoring is to judge which o which to is judge scoring for this e purpose $ # [redacted] cials to beat the point spread. spread. point the to beat cials ! cial. cial. cant problem with this information was that these two two these that was information this problem with cant e IRS trailed the beard betting for the mobsters in Las Las in mobsters for the betting beard the trailed e IRS $ were the only o only the were is o is [redacted] # # cials are penalized points for missing calls, calls, for missing points penalized are cials advised that o that advised ciating team, as re as team, ciating # ! xed games prior to them being played. played. being to them prior games xed [redacted] ciating assignments for the National Foot National for the assignments ciating % , championship, and games. games. Bowl Super and , championship, % ! managed to give the IRS the out the IRS the to give managed [redacted] further advised that his o his that advised further xing involving o involving xing # ciating teams who were assigned assigned who were teams ciating # # cial in the NFL is investigated investigated is NFL the in cial Security, National Football Football National Security, # $ ce were unfounded.” Who Who unfounded.” were ce cials for all NFL games are are games NFL for all cials ! e team headed by by headed e team advised that the o the that advised rst three years which he is he is which years three rst " [redacted] ected on enclosed assign on enclosed ected " # ected in Houston in ected cials in the NFL. NFL. the in cials # # stated that to that stated ciated only only ciated cials after after cials # # cials will will cials ce regular ce [redact # cials cials ------343 - - xed has ! xing are ough advised FOOTBALL ! $ ese were high- LARCENY GAMES LARCENY $ [redacted — Collins] xing investigation conducted ! s” and expected a transcript of % x football games. NBC investigation [redacted — from the NFL] ! xed football games.” is furnishing information the to ASAC, ! cials to # x an NFL game possible, since 1980? It’s though ! [redacted] ndings. ! is talking with the FBI should be disclosed.” not cial was involved in all the most or of games the on dates listed is appears be to the last game- major e NFL, course, of looked these into allegations and found nothing # ce, a review the of closing line spread sheets, and the fact that no $ But NBCBut Chicago reporter Collins quit didn’t so easily. Collins $ # or evenor attempted to quite unlikely. the In 1983, NFL suspended Baltimore Colts Art Schlichter the for entire season because was he gambling NFL on games, though reportedly Sundays, on games. his on not team’s he Yet readily admitted that he’d attention pay more the to scoreboard detail ing other ongoing games—on which had he bet—rather than the play right in him. front of Schlichter was a compulsive wasn’t he gambler, but by the FBI in regards the to NFL. Could have one no successfully FBI. Inasmuch as Houston, concerning the developments in this matter, the fact that [redacted] the report FBI’s stated that Collins “alleged that has he determined that two the of games involved alleged payo the recording that backed these claims, appears it as though never he publicized his been in touch with the NFL and they have refused furnish to informa tion. indicated He that NFL had his name apparently given them by the “advised that had he received additional information tending support to alleged bribery NFL of o apparently indicates that car dealers are acting as agents organized for crime and money betting on carend dealers, owning Rolls-Royce and Fiat dealerships in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and As Honolulu. Collins continued his probe, few were willing a hand—least lend to all of the NFL. “ to substantiateto the claims. source’s “ that the on basis a full of and investigation complete conducted by his o o one above, the is he of opinion that the allegations regarding game unfounded.” and refused continue. to 344 NFL revealed to revealed NFL Yet public. made been the 1986, in ever has which condition a similar had since has NFL the in player no other Amazingly, recovered. fully never life and career His FBI. he went to the NFL; to the didn’t turn help, Schlichter Seeking arm. passing his to break threatened indebted to whom he was bookmakers the when came downfall His account. bank his emptied habit had his though even NFL the by betting caught BRIAN TUOHY FOOTBALL be can easily most that ones the are sports two other But the know? you sports, two other the probably more than Petegot more from heat Rose, Idon’t know. well, …baseball, football, part, most for the sports professional play that characters look at the and…well, today on sports bet of money that’s amount the with way,it that because ! [the been [none ever they when that NFL] say has of its games think outside in from free as is NFL vanished. impropriety, of such others many story, like this Instead, followed. have should suspensions and Fines operation. agambling in involvement any forbid from its employees rules Crossing. NFL Country named casino Adalius and Warren, Gerard Moss, Santana Holmes, Santonio , including players, NFL 25 2011, In areported or answered. asked be to seemed never that questions relevant highly were events at these discussed ever football was and involved, were gamblers other many how with, Vick betting was outcome. Who on the fought to is wager are dog amultistate of running on charges arrested Vick was Michael When not problem completely vanished. has the gamblers, with associations for their it admonish must players of how many standing current the tions.” e an it has that impression the to give it likes leagues, sports professional to speci # xed] it means that no one’s ever been convicted of doing that. Let’s put Let’s that. of doing no convicted one’s that been xed] it ever means Former FBI Special Agent Tom Agent the Former French Special to doesn’t believe FBI seem regarding information any released not publicly has NFL the While cient security sta security cient ! ghting operation, no one seemed to mention that the reason dogs dogs reason the to mention no that one seemed operation, ghting 52 !

$ c players about associating with gamblers and, like the other other the like and, gamblers with associating about c players omas, invested $20 million or more into a failed Alabama Alabama or more into afailed million $20 invested omas, Sports % that pounces on cases involving improper associa improper involving on cases pounces that " uence as it contends. He told me, “I it contends. He as uence told “I me, that “it issues 10 to 12 warnings a year ayear 10 warnings to issues 12 “it that - 345 e $ ve ! FOOTBALL e Steelers were $ LARCENY GAMES LARCENY ag goes down. You pushag goes down. You " eld goal instead the of seven. ! e $ x a sport?’ could Well, it be any one ! ey attempted a hook-and-ladder play ey attempted a hook-and-ladder nancially, even making though he’s all cials even though, matter no what, the $ ! # xed. And many fans, have too, a game in their ! . Instead getting of 15 tonight, you get 12.” % cial. Every gamblerhas “bad a beat” story that often turns # -point favorites-point and the most of was money bet them on cover. to Everyone I talked with, including would who some the go on not xed….Look at it this it xed….Look at way: a third got you’ve and goal go, and to say ½ Steelers safety Polamalu knocked Troy the ball a Chargers of out player’s hand. Polamalu scooped the up live ball and ran a . in for it reason, some and cover the For spread,Steelers right? Wrong. win 17–10 the play was reviewed by the o Steelers were going be to winners…but against not the spread. After a lengthy review, the referee ruled that the Chargers had committed an illegal forward pass during the of one two laterals and therefore the play wherein the receiver catching the ball repeatedly laterals a teammate to it in an attempt confuse to the Steelers’ defense, hoping against hope that a opens a miraclehole for score. Instead, the on second attempted lateral, crazy? Or have they correctly sensed when something was amiss within the NFL? Strange things often happen in NFL games in conjunction with the betting line. A famous case in point is the November 16, 2008 San Diego Chargers-Pittsburgh Steelers game. 4 Chargers had the ball with their on line, own 21-yard down 11–10 seconds remaining in the game. into how a game how into was memory in which things just did seem not right. Are all these people girlfriend something or portrayed and he’s as a family and guy, doesn’t he want this have lose, to get to So out. you just you don’t have knock to a points of couple o record,had suspicions regarding certain NFL games, certain players, and leastat o one that money, believethat could Or not. or it money, shaking it be that someone’s him down, that knows he something and is extorting him. a got Maybe he’s the line is—well, matter doesn’t what it the line third is, it’s but and goal and you run the ball in, okay? Holding. them back yards ten and you take now the I mean, in a sportwhere betting is so and big half a point is huge, what do you think four points is? So I mean you have people have who women problems, drug and problems everything else, and everyone would say, ‘Why would a multimillionaire guy a millionof reasons. could It be ! 346 book to get back the house’s money. At the same time, Chargers bettors bettors Chargers house’s the money. time, back to same get book the At ! on the was delay how long the tickets—that’s Steelers winning their over, 11–10. Game but oh well. No touchdown. dead. was BRIAN TUOHY FOOTBALL it got out of just then control.” and way naïve areal in stu at some of this look historically you if too. Ithink things, into real turn can things Innocent week?’ this happen going is think you do to, ‘What turns conversation the and thing, other the and that, this, and girls about you’re And chatting does. friend best but your gamble, You friend. best don’t your Like on information. passing Just happen. can that things are there But again, something. to escape hard fairly be it would Ithink talking, and talking are that analysts replay,stant these o the not by only oversight there’s much so that think Ijust happen. can things these all potentially think he told “I me, security, of league cracks o adirty where NFL, the within occur could situation asimilar if asked and NBA the in Donaghy of Tim case of the Welsh Ireminded When action. ongoing it an were if of only one game,” discovered. publicly o same the if media, the by and league the by both discussions, and reviews the public. o come was away. thrown up and ripped been had on the scrambling were # # eld—were literally chased down by casino security in at least one sports one sports at least in security casino by down chased literally eld—were In Las Vegas, this caused an instant uproar. Bettors who had cashed cashed who had uproar. Bettors instant an caused Vegas, Las this In Former chief of NFL security Warren Welsh believes that with all all with that Welsh Warren believes security of NFL Former chief cial—an incorrect ruling to boot—can do in regards to the wagering wagering to the regards doin to boot—can ruling incorrect cial—an cials that are working the game, but the integrity of the players, in players, of the integrity but the game, the working are that cials # cial was intentionally making bad calls this referee would be be would referee this calls bad making intentionally was cial ! xed, but it is an excellent example of what one ruling by an an by of one what ruling example but excellent itxed, an is $ ough he did admit, “You can’t do this in the case case the in “You can’t dothis admit, he did ough " oor tooor $ is o is ! # nd the pieces of once losing tickets that that tickets of once losing pieces nd the cial’s call was 100 percent incorrect, incorrect, percent 100 was call cial’s $ ere’s no way to say this out ere’s to this say no way # cial could fall through the the through fall could cial % , it started , it started - -