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Belichick Supports Moss '100 Percent' Over Restraining Order

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 18, 2008

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick expressed strong support Thursday for WR Randy Moss, the subject of a temporary restraining order obtained by a longtime friend.

Belichick said he wasn't concerned about the allegation brought by Rachelle Washington that Moss committed battery or about how it might affect Moss on Sunday in the AFC Championship Game against the San Diego Chargers.

Washington's attorney issued a statement Thursday saying that Moss' representatives were the first to suggest that Moss pay the woman to keep the issue quiet, according to NBCSports.com. The attorney, David McGill, and Moss' agent, Tim DiPiero, did not return telephone calls from The Associated Press.

On Wednesday, Moss said that suggestion came from her side and totaled "six figures." He called it "a situation of extortion."

No criminal charge has been brought.

Belichick spoke briefly on questions about the matter Thursday.

"I think Randy's covered those, and I've talked to Randy about it and I support Randy 100 percent," he said.

Moss spent about 10 minutes in front of his locker on Wednesday vehemently denying the allegations.

On Monday, the temporary restraining order was issued in Broward County, ordering Moss to stay at least 500 feet from the home of Washington, who alleged he committed "battery ... causing serious injury" to her at her home in Fort Lauderdale on Jan. 6, the Sunday of the Patriots' playoff bye week. A hearing on issuing a permanent restraining order is scheduled for Jan. 28, six days before the Super Bowl.

CHARGERS' INJURIES: San Diego is slowly getting back its injured players ahead of Sunday's AFC title game.

Although QB Philip Rivers sat out for the second straight day with a sprained right knee, two-time NFL rushing champion LaDainian Tomlinson returned to practice Thursday after sitting out Wednesday to rest his hyperextended left knee.

Also sitting out were TE Antonio Gates (toe) and DT Jamal Williams (ankle).

OLB Shawne Merriman was limited again because of an illness.

DIVISIONAL ROUND RATINGS: The NFL's divisional playoffs drew the most television viewers for the round in 12 years.

An average audience of 32.7 million watched last weekend's four games: Seahawks-Packers, Jaguars-Patriots, Chargers-Colts and Giants-Cowboys. That's the most since January 1996, when 32.8 million tuned in. Those four matchups were Bills-Steelers, Packers-49ers, Eagles-Cowboys and Colts-Chiefs.

The Associated Press

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