“First of all, we want to reiterate our complete support of coach Herman Edwards, who has brought nothing but hard work and a full commitment to this franchise”, said Chief’s Manager of Media Relations Patrick Herbert during a brief conference call with the media. “That being said, we want to clarify the fact that he, along with his coaching staff and most members of the Chief’s organization, does have Internet capabilities and full use of e-mail in the desktop computer he was provided with ever since he joined our team”.

 

 

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello addressed the controversy in a brief statement to the press, where he mentioned that “Coach Edwards lied publicly about his knowledge and usage of the Internet. Whether he did so knowingly or by accident is immaterial to this case, and since we hold coaches to a higher standard you can rest assured that a severe sanction is being contemplated even as we speak”.

 

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has confirmed that a fine is forthcoming, and a suspension could be viable depending on the result of the league’s investigation on this issue.

 

Edwards’ might have opened a veritable Pandora’s Box with his deceiving tactics. Verizon Sales Representative Eddie Rodriguez has come forward as well with allegations about  coach Herm’s Internet usage. “I sold him a phone with net access about seven months ago, and he has been checking up on his account balance with us several times. I know because he called me to ask how he could do it, despite me telling him that he should call our customer service hotline. Anyway, that fact alone proves he has gone on-line, since that’s the way you check up on your remaining minutes with the type of plan he has”.

 

“It wouldn’t surprise me if he had been texting, even”, added Rodriguez.

 

In these troubled times, Edwards can at least rely on the support of his family and close friends. Wife Lia granted us a brief phone interview on her way to Costco where she was quick to point that the allegations against his husband, even if they are true, are perfectly understandable due to his complete lack of technological skills. “I mean, Herm is hopeless with modern appliances. He loves microwave popcorn, but to this day he can’t work the oven right. He ends up with this flaccid bags full of unpopped kernels and then gets all mad about it. I end up buying them wholesale because he ruins so many… But he’s also a nice, decent, God-fearing man, and we shouldn’t be so mocking him so much for not being up to date with gadgets and gizmos.”

 

Fishing buddy Dwight Amelio is also prompt to take the Herm Edwards’ side. “Radar detectors, fishing sonars, the truck’s navigation unit… You name it, Herm can’t use it! He has told me so many times about all the Liquid Paper he went through when he wrote You Play to Win the Game!, and whenever I point out that he should have used a word processor or at least an electrical typewriter, he gives me this look that’s all like ‘huh?’… Herm’s priceless!”

 

“One time we were out by the stream tying our lures and he asked to borrow my phone to check on the guys at the office, only he was gesturing towards my iPod! I’m talking an iPod shuffle here, one of the first, white ones. I still laugh when I think about it”, adds Amelio.

 

Edwards politely denied requests for an interview with Sportivoblog.com, citing difficulties to operate the speaker function on his office phone.