The relevant video footage is short. It consists of a sentence of dialogue and no more than five seconds of action. Stadium noise and the barked orders of a coach add layers of potentially confusing sound.

It is part of the N.F.L.’s evidence in the Saints’ bounty scandal, and a lawyer for the players union called it his best evidence.

The league says that the clip shows Anthony Hargrove, then a defensive tackle for the New Orleans Saints and one of four players suspended in the case, saying, “Bobby, give me my money.” The video was shot on the Saints’ sideline during the N.F.C. championship game in 2010, moments after New Orleans players were erroneously informed that Minnesota’s Brett Favre had been knocked out of the game.

Hargrove’s face is partially covered in the video, however, and it is not immediately clear if he is the one speaking. Richard Smith, the outside counsel for the players union in the Saints case, said it was “my best piece of evidence because it calls into question the thoroughness, the accuracy and veracity of the N.F.L.’s investigation and their statements.”