US Senator Arlen Specter, seen here in 2007 on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday called for an independent probe of the New England Patriots' videotaping practices and renewed his criticism of the National Football League's handling of the case.

The Boston Herald apologized to the New England Patriots on the front page of their Wednesday May 14, 2008 newspaper for falsely reporting that the Patriots videotaped a St Louis Rams walkthrough the day before their 2002 Super Bowl XXXVI contest . The Patriots defeated the Rams 20-17 in an upset win becoming Super Bowl Champions for the first time in franchise history.

In this Jan. 15, 2008 file photo, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft speaks during an interview in his office at the NFL football team's facility in Foxborough, Mass. Kraft complimented the Boston Herald on Wednesday May 14, 2008 for apologizing for a story that said his team videotaped a St. Louis Rams walkthrough before the 2002 Super Bowl.

Senator Arlen Specter speaks during a press conference about New England Patriots videotaping NFL opponents at Capitol Hill, in Washington on Wednesday, May 14, 2008.

Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., gestures during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, May 14, 2008, to discuss the New England Patriots videotaping NFL opponents.

Former New England Patriots football video assistant Matt Walsh, right, talks with Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., after a meeting on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, May 13, 2008.

Former New England Patriots football video assistant Matt Walsh shakes hands with Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., after a meeting on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, May 13, 2008.

National Football League commissioner Roger Goodell, seen here in April 2008,brought down the curtain on the "Spygate" scandal here Tuesday after meeting with former New England Patriots video assistant Matt Walsh.

Former New England Patriots videotape operator Matt Walsh, left, arrives at NFL headquarters for a meeting with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, Tuesday, May 13, 2008, in New York.

Former New England Patriots videotape operator Matt Walsh, center, enters NFL headquarters for a meeting with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, Tuesday, May 13, 2008, in New York.

NEW YORK - MAY 13: Videotapes taken by former New England Patriots video operator Matthew Walsh are shown to the media on May 13, 2008 at the Intercontinental Hotel in New York City. Walsh was there to discuss videotaping practices used by the Patriots in the Spygate controversy. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images)

NEW YORK - MAY 13: Roger Goodell the NFL commissioner addresses the media following his meeting with former New England Patriots video operator Matthew Walsh on May 13, 2008 at the Intercontinental Hotel in New York City. Walsh was there to discuss videotaping practices used by the Patriots in the Spygate controversy. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images)

NEW YORK - MAY 13: Michael N. Levy counsel to former New England Patriots video operator Matthew Walsh (R) makes a statement to the media following a meeting with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on May 13, 2008 at NFL headquarters in New York City. Walsh was there to discuss videotaping practices used by the Patriots in the Spygate controversy. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images)

NEW YORK - MAY 13: Former New England Patriots video operator Matthew Walsh (C) leaves NFL headquarters with his counsel Michael N. Levy (L) following a meeting with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on May 13, 2008 in New York City. Walsh was there to discuss videotaping practices used by the Patriots in the Spygate controversy. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images)

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell speaks to the news media during a press conference following a meeting with former New England Patriots videotape operator Matthew Walsh,Tuesday, May 13, 2008, in New York.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell speaks during a news conference following a meeting with former New England Patriots videotape operator Matt Walsh,Tuesday, May 13, 2008, in New York.

Head coach of the New England Patriots Bill Belichic in February 2008. Former New England Patriots video assistant Matt Walsh met with National Football League commissioner Roger Goodell for just over three hours here to discuss the "Spygate" scandal.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell gestures during a news conference following a meeting with former New England Patriots videotape operator Matt Walsh,Tuesday, May 13, 2008, in New York.

Former New England Patriots videotape operator Matt Walsh exits NFL headquarters with his attorney Michael Levy, left, following his meeting with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, Tuesday, May 13, 2008, in New York.

Former New England Patriots videotape operator Matthew Walsh, center, enters NFL headquarters for a meeting with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, Tuesday, May 13, 2008, in New York.

Former New England Patriots videotape operator Matthew Walsh, left, arrives at NFL headquarters for a meeting with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, Tuesday, May 13, 2008, in New York.

Head coach of the New England Patriots Bill Belichic walks the sidelines during Super Bowl XLII against New York Giants, February 2008, at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Former New England employee Matt Walsh has handed over eight tapes to the National Football League reportedly showing the Patriots stole opponents' offensive as well as defensive signals.

New York Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress scores the winning touchdown against New England Patriots during Super Bowl XLII, February 2008, at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Former New England employee Matt Walsh has handed over eight tapes to the National Football League reportedly showing the Patriots stole opponents' offensive as well as defensive signals.

FOXBOROUGH, MA - MAY 2: Special Teams coach Brad Seely offers instruction to fifth-round draft selection Matt Slater during the New England Patriots Rookie Mini Camp on May 2, 2008 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

FOXBOROUGH, MA - MAY 2: Second-round draft pick Terrence Wheatley #22 runs a drill during the New England Patriots Rookie Mini Camp on May 2, 2008 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

FOXBOROUGH, MA - MAY 2: Fourth-round draft pick Jonathan Wilhite #24 and second-round draft pick Terrence Wheatley #22 share a laugh during the New England Patriots Rookie Mini Camp on May 2, 2008 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

FOXBOROUGH, MA - MAY 2: Sixth-round draft selection Bo Ruud #91 walks in to position during the afternoon-session of the New England Patriots Rookie Mini Camp on May 2, 2008 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

FOXBOROUGH, MA - MAY 2: Third-round draft selection Kevin O'Connell #5 throws a pass during the afternoon-session of the New England Patriots Rookie Mini Camp on May 2, 2008 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

FOXBOROUGH, MA - MAY 2: Coach Bill Belichick watches the action during the afternoon-session of the New England Patriots Rookie Mini Camp on May 2, 2008 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

FOXBOROUGH, MA - MAY 2: First-round draft selection Jerod Mayo #51 runs during the afternoon-session of the New England Patriots Rookie Mini Camp on May 2, 2008 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)