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When Does New Orleans Saints Play Again

National Football game League scandal

Bounty Scandal
Date 2009–2011
Venue NFL
Participants Gregg Williams, Sean Payton, Michael Ornstein, Joe Vitt, 22 to 27 Saints players
Issue Mass suspensions, federal court hearings and litigation

The New Orleans Saints bounty scandal, formally known as "Bountygate,"[1] [two] [3] [iv] was an incident in which members of the New Orleans Saints squad of the National Football League (NFL) were accused of paying out bonuses, or "bounties," for injuring opposing team players. The pool was alleged to take been in functioning from 2009 (the year in which the Saints won Super Bowl XLIV) to 2011.

League commissioner Roger Goodell responded with some of the most astringent sanctions in the league'southward 92-year history, and among the most severe punishments for in-game misconduct in North American professional sports history. Defensive coordinator Gregg Williams was suspended indefinitely, though this would be overturned the following year. Caput omnibus Sean Payton was suspended for the unabridged 2012 season—the first time since Chuck Fairbanks in 1978 that a caput coach had been suspended. General director Mickey Loomis was suspended for the first viii games of the 2012 flavour. Assistant head double-decker Joe Vitt was suspended for the first six games of the 2012 flavour. The Saints arrangement was penalized with a $500,000 fine and forced to forfeit their 2nd-round draft selections in 2012 and 2013. In May 2012, four current and former Saints players were suspended after being named as ringleaders in the scandal, with linebacker Jonathan Vilma too beingness suspended for the entire 2012 season.[v] All the same, onetime commissioner Paul Tagliabue overturned all sanctions confronting the players in December 2012 later on finding that despite the players existence "very much involved," the coaches and the Saints organization were primarily responsible for the scandal.[6]

Background [edit]

The NFL has long frowned upon bounties, or "not-contract bonuses" equally information technology officially calls them; but an underground culture of bounties is alleged to exist, with teams, it is claimed, turning a blind eye to the do. The league constitution specifically forbids payment of bonuses based on performances against an individual actor or team, as well equally bonuses for on-field misconduct; the NFL holds that such practices undermine the integrity of the game, and also would let teams to use such payments to circumvent the salary cap. The commonage bargaining agreement with the NFL Players Association also forbids this practice, as does the standard NFL player contract.[vii] Every year, the NFL sends a memo reiterating this ban to every squad before training campsite opens. Nevertheless, according to many one-time players, bounty systems of some sort have been around the NFL for decades, with the percentage of players participating speculated to be betwixt thirty and 40 percent.[8] According to these players, such compensation programs were commonly informal and frequently between players just, more with intent at locker-room humbug than systemic malice. What would describe attention to the Saints' compensation plan was the declared practice of methodically organizing such a concept at the coaches' level, with the main intent to systematically and routinely hurt opposing star players.

After the Saints defeated the Minnesota Vikings in the 2009 NFC Championship Game in what has become a heated rivalry, several Vikings players and coaches claimed that the Saints were deliberately trying to hurt Vikings quarterback Brett Favre. The Vikings were particularly angered when Saints defensive cease Bobby McCray and defensive tackle Remi Ayodele knocked Favre to the footing with a high-low hit. McCray hitting Favre below the knees, briefly knocking Favre out of the game with an ankle injury. No penalty was called on the play, though NFL vice president of officiating Mike Pereira said i should have been called, saying information technology was "the blazon of hit we don't want." Vikings bus Brad Childress subsequently said that at that place were at least 13 instances where he felt the Saints deliberately went after Favre. Later, CBSSports.com NFL columnist Clark Judge said several Vikings assistants told him they believed McCray was acting on directly orders from Williams, with at least one beingness so outraged that he threatened to "punch [Williams] in the face" the next time they met.[9] Vikings owner Zygi Wilf even went equally far as to complain to the league about what happened to Favre, though no action was taken at the time.[10] Favre took such a severe chirapsia that Vikings punter Chris Kluwe and placekicker Ryan Longwell wondered during the game if someone had put a bounty on him.[11]

Favre's agent, Passenger vehicle Cook, after said that he also felt the Saints were deliberately trying to knock Favre out of the game, and claimed that several hits on Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner in the divisional round a week earlier crossed the line also.[12] It initially appeared that Melt's argument was strengthened past the fact that Warner was knocked out of that game with a chest injury (although he later returned), and retired two weeks afterward. However, Warner after said that the hit which knocked him out was legal, and had nothing to do with his decision to retire.[13]

Investigation [edit]

In the 2010 offseason, an bearding player told NFL officials that the Saints had targeted Favre and Warner as part of a bounty program administered by Williams; the NFL's security department found the allegations apparent enough to open an investigation. Nevertheless, the players and team officials interviewed all denied that any bounty program existed, and the player who fabricated the initial report later recanted his allegations.[7] [14]

The NFL began investigating the Saints in 2010 in response to allegations of deliberate attempts to hurt players during the 2009–10 playoffs, simply the investigation stalled until late in the 2011 season. On March ii, 2012, the NFL appear that it had testify that defensive coordinator Gregg Williams had created the program soon afterwards his arrival in 2009, and alleged that "betwixt 22 and 27 Saints players" were involved.[7] Williams and the players pooled their own coin to pay out performance bonuses. It likewise asserted that head passenger vehicle Sean Payton tried to encompass up the scheme, and that he and general managing director Mickey Loomis failed to shut it down when ordered to do so by team owner Tom Benson. Since then, Williams has been accused of operating similar schemes during his tenure as defensive coordinator of the Tennessee Oilers/Titans and (since renamed) Washington Redskins and as head passenger vehicle of the Buffalo Bills; the NFL briefly investigated these allegations but elected to focus on the Saints.

Whistleblower [edit]

In 2012, ESPN reported that quondam New Orleans Saints defensive assistant Mike Cerullo contacted the NFL regarding a bounty program after the 2009 postseason.[fifteen] Cerullo was released after the 2009 postseason for poor performance and lying virtually personal leave according to the New Orleans Saints.[16] Cerullo testified that he kept track of payments and pledges made. Cerullo also states in the commodity, "I was angry for being let become from the Saints". In the summertime of 2017, the NFL hired Mike Cerullo as Director of Football Administration.[16] Cerullo is currently managing director of football operations at Princeton University.[17]

Findings revealed [edit]

Late in the 2011 season, the NFL received what it called "pregnant and credible new information" that suggested at that place was indeed a "bounty" program in place.[seven] League officials, convinced that this information was irrefutable evidence a program was indeed in place, alerted Benson of their findings just before the Saints' first-circular playoff game against the Detroit Lions.[eighteen] The investigation continued during the 2011–12 playoffs and continued through the 2012 offseason.

On March two, 2012, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that the NFL had indeed constitute bear witness of a compensation program.[19] After that 24-hour interval, the NFL appear information technology had obtained irrefutable proof of a bounty pool dating back to the 2009 flavor, based on a review of eighteen,000 documents. Information technology determined that Williams had initiated the fund before long after he arrived in New Orleans in 2009, in hopes of making the defence force more aggressive. Between 22 and 27 Saints defensive players were involved. The players and Williams contributed their own cash to the pot, and received cash payments based on their performance in the previous week's game. For instance, a special teamer who downed a boot returner within the receiving team's xx-yard-line earned $100. Players could also be fined for mental mistakes and penalties. Players also received "bounties" for "cart-offs" (plays in which an opponent was removed from the field on a stretcher or cart) and "knockouts" (plays that resulted in a player existence unable to return for the rest of the game). Players usually earned $one,000 for cart-offs and $i,500 for knockouts during the regular season, though they were encouraged to put their winnings back into the pot in guild to raise the stakes as the season went on. Payments were known to double or fifty-fifty triple during the playoffs.[seven] [18] [20]

The NFL sent a confidential and detailed memo to all 32 teams detailing its findings. It revealed that the Saints had non only targeted Warner and Favre during the 2009 playoffs, simply had also targeted Greenish Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton during the 2011 regular season.[21] According to that memo, Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma offered $10,000 cash to any teammate who knocked Favre out of the NFC Championship Game.[14] Some other source told CBSSports.com's Mike Freeman that Reggie Bush-league's amanuensis at the time, Michael Ornstein, was closely involved in the scheme from the kickoff. Ornstein contributed $10,000 to the pot in 2009, and an undisclosed amount in 2011.[22]

After later investigations in the 2012 offseason, the NFL likewise establish evidence that the Saints put a bounty on then-Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck during their 2011 wild-bill of fare playoffs game.

The league found that Payton non only knew about the scheme, but tried to comprehend it up during both league investigations. During the 2010 investigation, Payton told Williams and Vitt to "make sure our ducks are in a row" when the league interviewed them. Before the start of the 2011 flavour, Payton received an electronic mail from Ornstein detailing the broader lines of the scheme. In that same email, Ornstein offered $5,000 to anyone who knocked Rodgers out of the 2011 season opener. Payton initially denied knowing that this email existed, merely subsequently admitted that in fact he had read it.[xviii] [22] [23] [24]

When Benson was informed of the league's findings, he called in Payton and Loomis and ordered the program shut down immediately. However, they did non do so. Loomis had been interviewed during the 2010 investigation likewise, and had stated that he knew of no such scheme and would stop it immediately if it was taking place. The league besides institute that Vitt, whom Payton had assigned to monitor Williams (the two reportedly didn't get along very well), as well knew about the broader lines of the scheme and even witnessed Williams handing out payments to players. However, Vitt failed to tell anyone about it.[7] [20]

The NFL found that Payton and Loomis' misfeasance amounted to "conduct detrimental" to the league.[25] The NFL plant no club money had been used to fund the bounty pool, and praised Benson for doing what he could to shut down the slush fund. Nonetheless, it found the Saints organization every bit a whole guilty of conduct detrimental to the league as well due to Williams and the players' maintenance of the bounty pool, besides equally Loomis and Payton's failure to deed "in a responsible fashion" to end it.[20] [26]

Several Chicago Bears players and fans believe that the Bears were targets of this program during the second game of the 2011 flavour, a thirty–13 loss to the Saints. Quarterback Jay Cutler was sacked six times, and virtually lost his voice when a Saints player kicked him in the throat. Later in the game, offensive tackle Frank Omiyale yanked a Saints defender off Cutler when he saw what he afterwards called "some muddied stuff."[27] Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Josh Freeman reported that the Saints tendency toward illegal hits was common noesis among the Tampa Bay coaching staff. Preparations for Saints games included warnings to offensive players to go on their knees protected, specially on plays well-nigh the sidelines.[28]

In June 2012, the league revealed that it possessed a ledger detailing the weekly earnings of the players, which are earned for cart-offs ($1000) and "whacks" ($400) and deducted for "mental errors."[29] [30]

However, on July 26, 2012, Vilma and vii witnesses from the Saints testified in front end of a federal guess in New Orleans that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell got his facts incorrect in the compensation scandal. "Everybody was sworn in nether oath in front of a gauge with the take a chance of perjury and jail time if we were lying, and categorically denied there was a bounty," Vilma said in a text message to ESPN's Ed Werder. "Seven people testified, two sworn affidavits all maxim the same matter. I ask that you and ESPN report the facts. No more bias or b.due south. or hearsay. I gave you facts that you tin can report if so choose."[31] Tulane University Sports Police Program Manager Gabe Feldman (who attended the hearing in court) said, "Clearly the judge, by her questions, indicated she thinks Goodell overstepped his authority, and this instance was e'er going to be nigh if he executed his power fairly... The NFL's retort is that with all due deference, you don't get to second approximate (Goodell). Judges only have limited jurisdiction over mediation issues."[32]

Other allegations against Williams [edit]

Shortly after the Saints' compensation organisation came to low-cal, four former Washington Redskins players, besides as a coach, told The Washington Mail that Williams operated a similar system while he was the Redskins' defensive coordinator from 2004 to 2007. The players said that Williams paid his coiffure thousands of dollars for aggressive play, with the biggest payouts—as much as $eight,000—coming for "kill shots" that knocked opposing players out of games.[33] Chicago Tribune NFL analyst Matt Bowen, who played for the Redskins at the time, later wrote in i of his regular columns that the bounty puddle was funded past fines for mistakes made during practice and in games, and insisted like systems operated on other teams.[34] On March iv, The Post reported that the NFL was investigating the allegations confronting Williams with the Redskins.[35]

Several former Bills players subsequently told The Buffalo News of a like organisation during Williams' tenure as Bills' head charabanc from 2001 to 2003. Withal, they didn't agree on whether there were rewards for intentionally injuring players. Coy Wire, a condom during Williams' tenure, said that Williams gave bonuses for hits that left opponents seriously injured, and ii other players said that bonuses were also awarded for "knockouts." Nevertheless, linebacker Eddie Robinson, who played for Williams in Houston and Tennessee as well equally in Buffalo, best-selling an incentive puddle but said he never heard Williams favor deliberately injuring other players.[36] Ruben Brown, a baby-sit for the Bills during Williams'due south fourth dimension as coach there, denied at that place was whatsoever sort of bounty system in identify in Buffalo,[37] a position reiterated past linebacker London Fletcher then-general manager Tom Donahoe.[38] [39] Chidi Ahanotu, who played 1 yr nether Williams in Buffalo, indicated that such a programme was non within his grapheme at the time and that Williams was "the softest coach I've been around."[40]

Former NFL coach Tony Dungy later told Profootballtalk.com he was sure that Williams operated a similar compensation system while he was defensive coordinator of the Oilers/Titans from 1997 to 2000. He too believes that Williams put a compensation on Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning during Super Basin XLIV, and targeted Manning on several occasions while with the Titans. The revelation of the bounty system too caused renewed speculation about a 2006 game between the Redskins and Colts, in which Manning was knocked downwardly by a high-low striking from the Redskins' Phillip Daniels and Andre Carter and appeared to lose some feeling in his neck. While Dungy did non speculate at the time about whether the Redskins targeted Manning on that play, he believes that hit ultimately caused the neck problems that sidelined Manning for the unabridged 2011 season and led to his departure for the Denver Broncos afterward.[41]

Former condom Ryan Clark, who played nether Williams in Washington from 2004–2005 and himself was fined past the NFL $40,000 for a helmet-to-helmet hitting against Baltimore Ravens tight end Ed Dickson during the 2011 season,[42] defended Williams, saying that he never ran a bounty program with the Redskins and has yet to see 1 during his fourth dimension in the NFL. Clark added that he would take reported Williams or any autobus that offered to run such a program.[43] The Steelers released a statement on their official web site mentioning that the team does not condone whatsoever sort of bounty program.[44]

Backwash [edit]

Williams, who left afterward the flavour to become defensive coordinator of the St. Louis Rams, was summoned to NFL headquarters afterward the investigation concluded in mid-February. He initially denied any interest, merely recanted and admitted everything in a coming together with Goodell.[18] Later the story bankrupt, Williams issued a argument calling his involvement "a terrible fault." Williams said that he knew all along the slush fund broke the rules, and that "I should accept stopped it" rather than get further involved.[12] Goodell said in a statement that he found it "specially disturbing" that the Saints were deliberately trying to injure other players. He said that players and coaches involved in the scheme could face fines or suspensions, and the Saints could be docked picks in the 2012 NFL Typhoon and future drafts.[seven] [12]

Benson issued a statement on the Saints' Website saying, "I take been made aware of the NFL's findings relative to the "Bounty Rule" and how it relates to our club. I have offered and the NFL has received our full cooperation in their investigation. While the findings may be troubling, we look frontward to putting this backside us and winning more than championships in the future for our fans."[45]

On March three, Fox Sports' Jay Glazer reported that the NFL intended to hand down penalties before the owners' coming together in late March.[46] The NFLPA asked the league to delay any sanctions until the matrimony could carry its own investigation.[47]

CBSSports.com'southward Pat Kirwan tweeted that within hours of the NFL releasing its report, lawyers for several players were already telling him that their clients were because legal action against the Saints and Williams.[48] Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Steve Young, who has a law degree from BYU, suggested that anyone who had been injured during a Saints game during the scheme's existence has grounds for a lawsuit.[49] Louisiana State University law professor William Corbett told Fox Sports that any legal activity by players has a chance of succeeding. He cited a 1977 case in which Denver Broncos defensive back Dale Hackbart sued the Cincinnati Bengals for a late striking to the back by running back Boobie Clark that fractured three vertebrae four years earlier and concluded his career. A Colorado courtroom ruled against Hackbart, saying violence was function of the game. However, the tenth Circuit Court of Appeals disagreed, saying that "the general customs of football" do not include deliberately attempting to injure opposing players.[50]

On March 6, Payton and Loomis issued a argument taking "full responsibility" for not stopping the declared "compensation" plan. Payton and Loomis also apologized to Benson and the Saints fans, and promised that such behavior would never happen again.[51] Three days later, Drew Brees, the starting quarterback for the Saints, issued a statement denying whatsoever knowledge of or involvement in the program.[52] On March 12, WWL-Telly in New Orleans reported that Payton and Benson met with Goodell in New York for much of the morning time to reiterate that the Saints would continue to cooperate fully with the NFL's investigation.[53] On March 22, U.S. Senator Richard Durbin of Illinois announced he would invite Goodell and the heads of the other major American sports leagues to a hearing on bounty systems. He as well said that unless the leagues themselves "come up with standards to make sure this isn't going to happen again," he may consider drafting legislation that would extend federal sports blackmail laws to comprehend bounties.[54]

On April 5, documentary filmmaker Sean Pamphilon released audio of a meeting Williams held with his defense before their 2012 bounded playoff game against the San Francisco 49ers. In a profanity-laced speech communication, Williams instructed his players to deliberately try to injure several 49ers players. He ordered his men to try to knock out running back Kendall Hunter, even if it meant hit him out of bounds. He specifically directed them to endeavor to tear wide receiver Michael Crabtree's ACL, hurt tight end Vernon Davis' ankles and get after kick returner Kyle Williams specifically because he had a history of concussions. He also appeared to put a bounty on quarterback Alex Smith; co-ordinate to Pamphilon, afterwards Williams told his men to hit Smith in the chin, "then he rubs his pollex against his index and middle fingers – the cash sign – and says, I got the first ane. I got the first 1. Become become it. Go lay that motherfucker out." Pamphilon, who was doing a documentary on Steve Gleason and his fight against Lou Gehrig's Illness, released the audio to Yahoo! Sports without Gleason's approving.[55] [56] However, the Saints were not penalized for illegal hits during that game, which they lost 36–32.[57]

Sanctions [edit]

Coaches and front end office staff [edit]

On March 21, 2012, the NFL issued sanctions to Saints coaches and front-office personnel for their roles in the scandal.[58] [59]

  • Williams was suspended indefinitely, and was banned from applying for reinstatement until the end of the 2012 season at the earliest.
  • Payton was suspended for the entire 2012 season, effective April i. He is the first head jitney in modern NFL history to be suspended for whatever reason.
  • Loomis was suspended for the first eight games of the 2012 flavor.
  • Vitt, who had been tabbed equally a possible candidate to serve equally interim coach in Payton's absence, was suspended for the outset 6 games of the 2012 flavor.[xx] [24] [sixty] (This did not automatically disqualify Vitt from serving as interim caput coach per se, as his suspension was not effective until the regular season; the suspension terms allowed him to double-decker the squad through training army camp and the preseason, then return during Week seven. The Saints announced they would implement this scenario for 2012.)[61] [62]

The Saints were as well fined $500,000—the maximum fine permitted under the league constitution, and had to forfeit their second-round draft picks in 2012 and 2013 (their start-round pick in 2012 had already been traded to the New England Patriots, and therefore, could not be forfeited; after the penalty; the Saints' first pick in the 2012 NFL Draft is a third-rounder).[twenty] [24] He besides gave the league'south clubs until March 30, 2012 to certify in writing that they do not accept compensation programs. Clubs volition also be required to certify that no compensation systems exist as function of the yearly certifications they must make nether the league's Integrity of the Game Policy.[63]

In a statement, Goodell said that the NFL would not tolerate "conduct or a culture" that put player safety at hazard. He as well said that the fact that the scheme went on for three years demanded that "a strong and lasting message must exist sent that such conduct is totally unacceptable and has no place in the game."[20] He was particularly upset that those involved had lied about the scheme on ii split up investigations, and had denied that there was ever a compensation program in place. In an interview with NFL Network's Rich Eisen, Goodell said that the threat to player safety, as well every bit the fact the Saints lied nearly it, demanded significant penalisation. "I don't recollect you can be too hard on people that put at risk our players' wellness and safety," Goodell told Eisen.[64] He reiterated this in an interview later that day with ESPN's Schefter, saying that the fact those involved "connected to mislead" the league nearly information technology was a meaning cistron in the sanctions. "Y'all have to be accountable and responsible in the NFL," Goodell said. Goodell also unsaid that Payton would have faced meaning punishment in any event, since his contractual obligation to supervise his administration meant that he at to the lowest degree should have known nearly the scheme. He as well said that at that place would be zero tolerance for payments for in-game performance in the time to come, saying that payments for good play eventually escalate to bounties for deliberately injuring players.[65] Later, Schefter said on ESPN's SportsCenter that league officials felt Payton was at least as guilty every bit Williams, despite initial focus on Williams' role equally the mastermind in the scheme.

On March 30, Payton, Vitt and Loomis appealed their suspensions, and the Saints as well appealed the fine and loss of draft picks.[66] Payton, Vitt and Loomis met with Goodell on Apr v. After that coming together, Vitt'south lawyer, David Cornwell, said that Payton and Loomis met with Williams before the divisional playoff game and ordered him to shut down the compensation programme immediately. Cornwell contended that Williams was a "rogue motorcoach," and the recently released audio of his coming together with the defense but proved it.[67]

Goodell denied the appeals on April ix, meaning that Payton's suspension began as of April 16. However, depending on the Saints' cooperation and that of the individuals involved, Goodell could restore the Saints' 2d-circular selection in 2013 (though the Saints would nevertheless lose a lower-round pick), as well as reduce the fine on the Saints and restore Payton, Vitt and Loomis' lost pay. However, all appeals were denied.[68]

Players [edit]

The NFLPA requested that the league should hold off on any punishments for the players until information technology conducts its own investigation.[24] Goodell told Schefter, still, that he would manus down punishments to the players involved very soon once he gets feedback from the NFLPA.[65]

Hours after the sanctions were appear, Kluwe went on KSTP in the Twin Cities and demanded that any players involved in the scheme be severely punished, and that the NFLPA allow it be known that "at that place's no place in the league for that kind of behavior." He fifty-fifty went as far as to phone call for Vilma—the only player specifically named as being involved in the scheme in the NFL's initial announcements—to be banned from the league for life.[69] His sentiments were echoed a twenty-four hour period later by Vikings center John Sullivan, who told KFXN-FM in the Twin Cities that any Saint who deliberately tried to injure Favre in that game should get a lifetime ban. Sullivan called the Saints' treatment of Favre "despicable" and "the exact reverse of sportsmanship," and even called for the league to have some sort of activity against players involved in that game who had since retired, such as McCray.[70]

On May ii, 2012, the NFL suspended 4 then-current or quondam Saints players for their involvement in the compensation scandal:

  • Vilma was suspended for the entire 2012 NFL season.[5]
  • Former Saints defensive tackle Anthony Hargrove was suspended for eight games.
  • Saints defensive stop Volition Smith was suspended for four games.
  • Former Saints linebacker Scott Fujita (then with the Cleveland Browns, now retired) was suspended for three games.

Vilma's pause took effect immediately, while the other three players are allowed to nourish preparation camp. In announcing the suspensions, Goodell said that while a large number of players took part in the plan, he chose to suspend those players who "were in leadership positions at the Saints; contributed a peculiarly large sum of money toward the programme; specifically contributed to a bounty on an opposing player; demonstrated a clear intent to participate in a program that potentially injured opposing players; sought rewards for doing so; and/or obstructed the 2010 investigation." The NFL determined that Vilma and Smith helped Williams start the bounty plan. Hargrove lied to league officials during the 2010 investigation, merely after signed a letter of the alphabet to the NFL admitting that he was an active participant in the scheme. He likewise told at least one other role player that the Saints had put a bounty on Favre in the 2009 NFC title game. Fujita, who left the squad for the Browns immediately later on the Saints won Super Bowl XLIV, pledged "a significant amount of money" into the compensation program.[71]

Earlier, Goodell had indicated that he was going to come down hard on the players involved, telling Eisen that they "enthusiastically embraced" the scheme. "They are on the field, so I don't call up they are absolved from whatsoever responsibleness because of that," he said.[72]

The NFLPA released a statement calling the suspensions unjustified, claiming that Goodell had not furnished them with whatever testify supporting the sanctions.[v] The union lodged a formal grievance on May 4, contending that since the suspensions were for on-field misconduct, the players' appeals should exist heard by Ted Cottrell and Fine art Shell, whom the collective bargaining agreement designates as the hearing officers for on-field sanctions. Information technology also contended that since the alleged conduct took identify before the most recent CBA was signed in Baronial, Goodell should have deferred to NFL special main Stephen Burbank in ruling on the players' actions.[73] Goodell issued the suspensions as part of his power to sanction any "conduct detrimental to the integrity and public conviction in the NFL," a violation of Commodity 46 of the CBA. This provision is normally used to sanction off-field carry.[74] However, a league source told CBSSports.com's Approximate that it also gives Goodell the power to dominion on in-game bear if he feels that it runs counter to the integrity of the game.[75]

On July 26, 2012, Jonathan Vilma and 7 witnesses from the Saints testified in front of a federal gauge in New Orleans that Goodell got his facts incorrect in the bounty scandal. "Everybody was sworn in under oath in front of a estimate with the risk of perjury and jail fourth dimension if nosotros were lying, and categorically denied there was a bounty," Vilma said in a text bulletin to ESPN'southward Ed Werder. "Seven people testified, 2 sworn affidavits all saying the aforementioned thing. I ask that you and ESPN study the facts. No more bias or b.due south. or hearsay. I gave yous facts that y'all can study if and then choose."[31] Tulane Academy Sports Law Plan Manager Gabe Feldman (who attended the hearing in court) said, "Clearly the judge, by her questions, indicated she thinks Goodell overstepped his authorisation, and this case was always going to be about if he executed his power fairly... The NFL's retort is that with all due deference, you don't go to second guess (Goodell). Judges merely accept limited jurisdiction over arbitration problems."[32]

All iv players appealed their suspensions. On September 7, 2012, the Burbank appeals panel vacated the suspensions imposed on the 4, and the NFL confirmed that the ruling reinstated them in time for their kickoff games of the 2012 flavor ii days subsequently.[76] Two days subsequently the 5th game of the flavour, on October 9, 2012, the league re-issued the suspensions without whatever changes or reductions; the players' appeals continued.[77]

On October 27, 2012, former league commissioner Paul Tagliabue postponed the bounty appeals hearing,[78] expecting to set up a new schedule on October 29, 2012.[79] On Dec 11, with 3 games left in the regular flavor, Tagliabue vacated the players' suspensions, saying in his ruling, "I assert Commissioner Goodell'south factual findings as to the four players. I conclude that Hargrove, Smith and Vilma—but not Fujita—engaged in 'conduct detrimental to the integrity of, and public confidence in, the game of professional football ..." He laid primary responsibility for the scandal on Williams and Payton.[6]

Had the suspensions of Vilma and Hargrove been upheld, they would have been the longest for an on-field incident in modern NFL history, topping the previous record fix in 2006, when then-Titans defensive cease Albert Haynesworth was given a five-game suspension for stomping on the head of Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman Andre Gurode.

Vilma played the terminal 11 games of the 2012 season for the Saints; Smith played all sixteen. Fujita played the outset four games of the season for the Browns before suffering a flavour-catastrophe (and ultimately, career-catastrophe) neck injury;[lxxx] he would sign a ceremonial one-day contract with the Saints in the offseason and retire with the team.[81] Hargrove, signed as a free agent by the Green Bay Packers in March 2012,[82] did not play during the 2012 flavor. Nonetheless, the loss of Payton, combined with the distractions caused by the scandal, proved too much for the Saints to overcome. After finishing 13–three and reaching the Bounded round of the playoffs a year earlier, they finished vii–9 and missed the playoffs.

Media reaction [edit]

The beliefs detailed in the written report was nigh universally condemned in the press. In an editorial, New Orleans' local paper The Times-Piffling called the revelations "an embarrassment for 1 of the virtually successful and beloved sports organizations of contempo years," and that they were "particularly hard to take for (Saints') fans" in light of the Saints' rebound after Hurricane Katrina.[83] ESPN columnist Gregg Easterbrook claimed that the Saints' behavior threatened the very integrity of the sport since high schoolhouse and youth players have long emulated what they come across in the NFL. He too claimed that NFL Network yanked its planned replay of the 2009 NFC Title Game due to concern that fans might await more closely for belatedly hits that should accept been called.[49]

Well-nigh of the players who were the targets of questionable hits by the Saints, including Favre and Warner, claimed the bounties were merely function of the game.[50] However, several former players interviewed by Sports Illustrated said that while payments for adept hits and sacks were indeed considered part of the game, bounties for intentionally injuring opponents violated an unwritten code. One of those interviewed, Junior Seau, bluntly said that such practices crossed the line into threatening a person'due south livelihood.[84] (Seau would commit suicide less than two months after the interview was published; information technology was discovered subsequently his death that he suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) as a effect of the numerous head injuries Seau suffered during his 20-yr NFL career.)[85] Seau'due south sentiments were echoed by Hall of Fame quarterback Fran Tarkenton. In an op-ed for The Wall Street Journal, Tarkenton wrote that he played against the likes of Mean Joe Greene, Ray Nitschke and Dick Butkus, and none of them fifty-fifty considered deliberately trying to injure him. He also said that he discussed the issue with several players from his era, and they unanimously agreed that players who put bounties on opponents were "cowards."[86]

Kevin Seifert, who blogs on the NFC North for ESPN.com, wrote that neither he nor nearly Vikings fans were surprised at the discovery of the bounty plan. Seifert argued that even before the findings were revealed, it was obvious that the Saints were determined to inflict a severe beating on Favre, even if it meant breaking the rules. The only difference in Seifert's mind was that he no longer believed the Saints were out of control. Rather, he wrote, they were acting equally "function of a larger mentality" instilled by Williams.[10]

Speculation quickly abounded almost how severely Goodell, who has made player prophylactic and the overall integrity of the game a point of emphasis during his six years as commissioner, would punish Williams and the Saints. In his weekly "Monday Morn Quarterback" column on March five, SI 's Peter Male monarch wrote that he believed Williams faced at least an eight-game suspension, and that Payton and Loomis would about certainly be suspended as well. He also argued that Goodell would have no choice but to come downwards hard on the Saints, given that the league was facing numerous lawsuits brought by former players who suffered head injuries. Given the circumstances, King said, Goodell had a lot of incentive to "issue a string of suspensions the likes of which the league has never seen."[26] In an article written for the March 12 edition of SI, King wrote that league officials were so outraged that they were likely to hand down penalties similar to the season-long bans Paul Hornung and Alex Karras received in 1963 for gambling.[eighteen] Freeman wrote that his sources in the league office had told him that the players, Williams, Payton and Loomis would all face suspensions of at least six games, as well equally heavy fines. Freeman'southward sources as well said that Payton's sanctions were likely to dwarf those handed downwardly to the New England Patriots' Bill Belichick in the wake of the 2007 "Spygate" affair. He likewise believed that Goodell was going to employ the scandal to "end the practise of bounty football game forever," much like the penalties imposed against the Patriots after "Spygate" finer ended the longstanding exercise of illicit videotaping.[eight]

Later the sanctions were announced, CBSSports.com's Gregg Doyel wrote that the severity of the punishments handed downward to Williams, Payton and Loomis proved that Goodell was truly sincere in his desire to "take the thuggishness out of the NFL." Doyel too said that while many players had chafed at what they saw every bit Goodell's heavy-handed approach to discipline, he was actually standing up for their safety in the Saints' instance.[87] Pereira, at present an analyst for Fox Sports, wrote that based on his experience in the league office, he wasn't surprised that Goodell came downwards hard on the Saints. He recalled that Goodell was always upset when officials didn't penalize hits on defenseless players.[88]

The revelation of Williams' pregame speech was likewise greeted with revulsion. ESPN NFL analyst and former Dallas Cowboys rubber Darren Woodson said that much of Williams' speech was standard pregame rhetoric. According to Woodson, when Williams called for his men to "assail the head" of running back Frank Gore, he was saying that the 49ers' offense would exist rendered ineffective if they managed to shut Gore down. However, Woodson felt that several parts of Williams' speech—especially his calls to become subsequently Crabtree'south ACL and target Williams specifically because he had concussions in the past—went too far.[89] His former teammate, NFL Network analyst Michael Irvin, said that he "virtually threw up" when he heard Williams tell his men to go later Crabtree'southward ACL, saying that players are taught from youth football game onward to "never take out a man'south knees."[xc] Play a joke on Sports' Mark Kriegel argued that the tape proved Williams was "woefully underpunished," peculiarly since he made the speech communication after being alerted that the NFL had reopened its investigation. He called for Goodell to ban him from the league for life.[91]

NFL Network analyst Michael Lombardi wrote that the scandal happened in part considering during Williams' previous stops as a defensive coordinator, the head coaches nether which he worked—Fisher, Joe Gibbs and Payton—essentially ceded him consummate authority over the defense. Lombardi claimed that every bit a effect, Williams operated substantially as "an independent contractor." Lombardi argued that such a situation is "never fully sustainable," every bit it can easily lead to the head coach losing control.[92]

Despite the media outcry, an contained study speculated that Saints' players may accept pretended to participate off the field merely not put the tactics into activity on the field. "If the Saints tended to injure more players, so teams that played them would tend to list more injuries the following week. To test whether the Saints injured more players than a typical squad, one need just compare the number of players added to injury reports after a Saints game to the league-broad average. Did the New Orleans Saints injure more players? The data-driven reply is a resounding 'no.' The Saints appear to have injured far fewer players over the 2009, 2010 and 2011 seasons. The numbers are striking."[93]

See also [edit]

  • Bounty Bowl, a 1989 bounty scandal
  • 2007 National Football game League videotaping controversy
  • Deflategate
  • Listing of scandals with "-gate" suffix
  • National Football League controversies

References [edit]

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When Does New Orleans Saints Play Again

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Orleans_Saints_bounty_scandal