Let’s see, let’s play a little word game. Violating his contract, breaking a rule, not the same as cheating, see? Is that concept simple enough for you?
Cheat: to get an unfair advantage, especially in a game.
In the NFL's report, they used the phrase "unfair advantage" in describing the filming practice. So, according to the people who run the game, he cheated.
Maybe you should bring it up with them. They obviously don't understand their game as well as you do.