NFL commissioner Roger Goodell rocked the sports world today when he announced Saints’ player suspensions for their involvement in the bounty system. In the end he decided to suspend four players in total. The most notable is linebacker Jonathan Vilma who has been suspended for the entire 2012 season without pay. In addition to Vilma, defensive tackle Anthony Hargrove (now with the Green Bay Packers) was suspended eight games, defensive Will Smith four games and linebacker Scott Fujita (now with the Cleveland Browns) three games. Each player has three days to appeal the decision. Whether they decide to appeal or not I think all suspensions will be upheld.
Goodell released a statement saying, “No bounty program can exist without active player participation. The evidence clearly showed that the players being held accountable today willingly and enthusiastically embraced the bounty program. Players put the vast majority of the money into this program and they share responsibility for playing by the rules and protecting each other within those rules.”
Saints’ head coach Sean Payton has also been suspended for the entire 2012 season, former defensive coordinator Gregg Williams has been suspended indefinitely, general manager Mike Loomis was handed an eight-game suspension beginning after the preseason, interim coach Joe Vitt begins a six-game suspension during that time as well and the team was fined $500,000.
Shaina (@Shay_Marie)
