ChicagoBreakingSports reported that the Bears met with DE Julius Peppers’ agent this past weekend at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. If these rumors are true, the Bears could be facing “tampering” charges from other teams, according to Michael Lombardi of National Football Post
Lombardi points out teams usually avoid tampering charges because agents usually have more than one client and they can claim they were meeting to discuss another player. Unfortunately for the Bears Carl Carey, Peppers’ agent, only has one client: Julius Peppers.
ESPNChicago contacted an NFL spokesperson, who refused to comment.
ESPNChicago states the current CBA defines tampering as:
The term tampering, as used within the National Football League, refers to any interference by a member club with the employer-employee relationship of another club or any attempt by a club to impermissibly induce a person to seek employment with the club or within the NFL.
If tampering charges (.pdf) are brought against the Bears, the commissioner would gather the facts then make a ruling of tampering had actually occurred or not. If the tampering was found to be intentional, then the NFL could impose a fine on the Bears and the team bringing the charges against the Bears could be awarded (.pdf, page 41) 50% of the fine collected by the NFL.
