Chargers coach Norv Turner isn’t the only member of the organization who addressed on Monday the report that the team is being investigated for using an illegal adhesive substance during last Monday’s loss to the Broncos. Linebacker Shaun Phillips also met with the media, and he was asked for his thoughts regarding the team being called “cheaters.”
“Cheater is a big word,” Phillips said. “I’ve seen a lot of cheating in the NFL. I don’t know that you could consider the use of Stickum to be cheating. But it always sucks because you never want to be cast as a cheater. All you have to do is keep playing and doing what you’re doing. Let people say what they have to say and take care of your own business.”
Their business for now includes the NFL’s investigation into whatever it was that the officials confiscated from an equipment manager on Monday night. Whether it was stickum or tape or anything else that has been prohibited or something that doesn’t violate the rules at all, the dark cloud will hang over the franchise until the investigation has concluded.
The more intriguing question is the type and extent of cheating Phillips has seen. Chances are we’ll never know. Unless someone offers him a book deal.