WASHINGTON (Reuters) - NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will meet with U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter on Wednesday to discuss the New England Patriots' spying on rival teams.

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The Pennsylvania Republican wants to know why the NFL had the Patriots' six videotapes, which Goodell said were mostly from the 2006 regular season and 2007 preseason, destroyed.

New England was found to have broken NFL rules by using videotape to steal sideline signals by their opponents.

Specter questioned whether the 2005 Super Bowl win by the Patriots over the Philadelphia Eagles, who play in Specter's home state of Pennsylvania, was achieved unfairly.

Goodell said after he punished the Patriots for the spying that there was nothing to be gained by keeping the tapes.

"I think there are very good explanations for the reason why I destroyed the tapes or had them destroyed by our staff," Goodell told a news conference on February 1.

"They were totally consistent with what the team told me. There was no purpose for them."

After the NFL confiscated the tapes, Goodell fined the Patriots $250,000 and forced them to forfeit a first-round draft pick. Head coach Bill Belichick was fined $500,000 for his role in the scandal.


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I don't agree with Goodell destroying those tapes, but it is what it is. Spector needs to chill out and worry abt goverment issues, instead of things that don't concern him.

Spector is an idiot. He's my senator and I never liked him. The only reason he's concerned is because of the Eagles. Sour grapes if you ask me. However I do think in the end it's a good idea so then maybe it will come out how all the teams have tried to cheat and gain an advantage over their opponent. The NFL Network talked with Frank Gifford about this right before the SB and he laughed. He said this stuff has been going on for years and if the Patriots weren't winning nobody would care. I agree with that. I even remember back in the 70's when Dallas accused George Allen of sending spies to check up on his practices. None of this is new.