NEW YORK: The NFL said Tuesday it had “engaged law enforcement” to find out how hackers managed to access the league Twitter account and falsely post that commissioner Roger Goodell had died.
The tweet was deleted minutes after it was posted and Brian McCarthy, the league’s vice president of communications, posted on his own Twitter account that it was untrue.
“The @NFL Twitter account was hacked,” McCarthy posted. “@nflcommish is alive and well.”
Later, McCarthy said the league was looking into the matter.
“We have engaged law enforcement to look into the matter,” he said. “We are reviewing and strengthening our cyber-security measures.”
The original hoax post on the NFL’s verified official Twitter account was a somber message on a black background: “We regret to inform our fans that our commissioner, Roger Goodell, has passed away. He was 57.”
It was soon deleted, as were follow-up tweets that said “Oi, I said Roger Goodell has died. Don’t delete that tweet,” and, as word spread of the hack “OK, OK, you amateur detectives win. Good job.”
Goodell laughed off the flap via his own Twitter account.
“Man, you leave the office for 1 day of golf w/ @JimKelly1212 & your own network kills you off. #harsh,” the commissioner tweeted.
Browns vice president Bryan Wiedmeier dead at 57
Cleveland Browns executive Bryan Wiedmeier has died following a four-year battle with brain cancer. He was 57.
The team announced Wiedmeier’s passing on Tuesday night. Owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam called Wiedmeier “a special person” and “exactly the type of person you want in your organization and on a personal level as a friend.”
Wiedmeier was diagnosed with Stage 4 brain cancer in 2012 and given 15 months to live. He defied medical predictions and lasted four more years. One week after undergoing surgery to have a tumor removed in 2012, Wiedmeier, who spent 35 years in the NFL, attended a Browns game and was awarded a game ball by then-coach Pat Shurmur after Cleveland beat San Diego.
Wiedmeier spent 29 years with the Miami Dolphins, serving in a variety of roles with the team. He joined the Browns in 2010.
Wiedmeier is survived by his wife, Mary K., and five children.
The tweet was deleted minutes after it was posted and Brian McCarthy, the league’s vice president of communications, posted on his own Twitter account that it was untrue.
“The @NFL Twitter account was hacked,” McCarthy posted. “@nflcommish is alive and well.”
Later, McCarthy said the league was looking into the matter.
“We have engaged law enforcement to look into the matter,” he said. “We are reviewing and strengthening our cyber-security measures.”
The original hoax post on the NFL’s verified official Twitter account was a somber message on a black background: “We regret to inform our fans that our commissioner, Roger Goodell, has passed away. He was 57.”
It was soon deleted, as were follow-up tweets that said “Oi, I said Roger Goodell has died. Don’t delete that tweet,” and, as word spread of the hack “OK, OK, you amateur detectives win. Good job.”
Goodell laughed off the flap via his own Twitter account.
“Man, you leave the office for 1 day of golf w/ @JimKelly1212 & your own network kills you off. #harsh,” the commissioner tweeted.
Browns vice president Bryan Wiedmeier dead at 57
Cleveland Browns executive Bryan Wiedmeier has died following a four-year battle with brain cancer. He was 57.
The team announced Wiedmeier’s passing on Tuesday night. Owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam called Wiedmeier “a special person” and “exactly the type of person you want in your organization and on a personal level as a friend.”
Wiedmeier was diagnosed with Stage 4 brain cancer in 2012 and given 15 months to live. He defied medical predictions and lasted four more years. One week after undergoing surgery to have a tumor removed in 2012, Wiedmeier, who spent 35 years in the NFL, attended a Browns game and was awarded a game ball by then-coach Pat Shurmur after Cleveland beat San Diego.
Wiedmeier spent 29 years with the Miami Dolphins, serving in a variety of roles with the team. He joined the Browns in 2010.
Wiedmeier is survived by his wife, Mary K., and five children.
