According to ESPN, former Arizona Cardinals head coach Steve Wilks has stated that he was instructed by the team to use a burner phone during his tenure.
In a deposition transcript obtained by ESPN, Wilks testified that he was given the phone to communicate with general manager Steve Keim while Keim was serving a suspension for drunk driving.
Wilks claims that both Keim and owner Michael Bidwill gave him the directive to use the burner phone.
“It was a directive from Keim as well as Bidwill,” Wilks said. “They both knew.”
Former AZ Cardinals head coach Steve Wilks testified that a team exec gave him a burner phone to communicate with former GM Steve Keim under orders from Keim & team owner Michael Bidwill during Keim's suspension, according to a deposition obtained by ESPN. https://t.co/fzoGNIP8H1
— Tisha Thompson (@TishaESPN) August 30, 2023
During Keim’s suspension, team executives, including Bidwill, reportedly spoke to him frequently, even negotiating a multi-million dollar contract extension with running back David Johnson.
The NFL did not impose any additional punishment on Keim after the team suspended him for his DUI incident.
Wilks provided his testimony via videoconference as part of an ongoing arbitration complaint filed by former Cardinals vice president of personnel, Terry McDonough.
McDonough has accused Bidwill of misconduct, including discriminatory and racist treatment of employees, as well as the use of burner phones.
“The only comment we are permitted to make is the following: The Arbitrator ruled that because we were denied an opportunity for cross-examination, on the current state of the record, the deposition testimony of Mr. Wilks is not admissible.” (2/2)
— Tyler Drake (@Tdrake4sports) August 30, 2023
In response to questions from Bidwill’s attorney, Wilks, who is currently the defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers, disclosed new details about the use of burner phones and other incidents involving McDonough and Bidwill.
Bidwill has previously labeled these allegations as “outlandish.”
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