By Tyler Dunne, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel –
MILWAUKEE — With a 13-minute, nearly 1,500-word prepared statement, Anthony Hargrove emphatically said that it was not his voice in the video clip used as evidence in the New Orleans Saints’ bounty investigation.
One day after Hargrove and three of his former Saints teammates formally appealed their suspensions, the Green Bay Packers defensive end held an informal news conference outside the NFL offices.
In a passionate, direct tone, Hargrove broke his silence and maintained his innocence.
The video captures Saints assistant coach Joe Vitt speaking to players on the sideline during the third quarter of the 2009 NFC Championship Game. Vitt told the players that Favre was out of the game with a serious leg injury, which turned out to be incorrect.
Hargrove, who appears in and out of the camera shot, supposedly said to teammate Bobby McCray, “Bobby, give me my money.”
Hargrove — currently suspended eight games — insists it is not his voice.
“Here’s the problem with that,” Hargrove said in the extended statement. “It wasn’t me. That’s right. The NFL got their evidence all wrong. In their rush to convict me, they made a very serious error. Is it intentional? I don’t know. But one thing I do know with absolute certainty: It. Was. Not. Me!
“Like I said, lean in closer, look closer, listen closer. It is not my voice. Anyone who knows me well knows that it is not me. But the NFL does not know me well. They simply make assumptions. With . . . my . . . life.”
In response, league spokesman Greg Aiello told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, “We stand by the findings of our investigation.”
With references to Bill Clinton and Mona Lisa, Hargrove didn’t hold back Tuesday. He called the NFL “master politicians,” referencing Clinton’s claim that he “did not have sex with that woman.” And he called himself “the target of a sophisticated mugging.”
“The truth is, this has been embarrassing to have all these lies about me echoing across America,” Hargrove said in his statement. “Good Lord have my eyes been opened! Just ask yourself . . . if they will manufacture this piece of so-called evidence, what else will they do? I know it looks confusing, especially when they tell you what to look for, but don’t believe it. This, in my mind, brings everything into question. Everything.
“And all of this because one man has absolute power and seemingly must use it. We as players have to be very careful. Do they care about us? When they are willing to twist things to hurt us? Come on guys.”
On the video, Hargrove’s face can be seen on the right of the screen where he appears to be speaking to McCray. The video catches Hargrove saying, “Bobby,” but then his face fades away.
Hargrove wouldn’t say who he believes said, “give me my money.” Defensive tackle Remi Ayodele is seen leaning toward defensive end Will Smith, but his back is to the camera.
The league reported that the Saints placed a $35,000 bounty on Favre.
