Advertisement Bountygate Evidence and Audio Payton received a 1-year suspension from the NFL in 2012 for Bountygate -- when Saints players were getting cash payouts from 2009 to 2011 for targeting and injuring opponents during games. Vilma, a linebacker who is still with the Saints, got suspended for a year, and teammate Smith, a defensive end, got a four-game suspension. Two of those players were reportedly Kurt Warner and Brett Favre. Judges only have limited jurisdiction over arbitration issues. [8], After the sanctions were announced, CBSSports.com's Gregg Doyel wrote that the severity of the punishments handed down to Williams, Payton and Loomis proved that Goodell was truly sincere in his desire to "take the thuggishness out of the NFL." Lombardi argued that such a situation is "never fully sustainable," as it can easily lead to the head coach losing control. 1988-89: University of Houston - Graduate Assistant 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 whole organization was fined $500,000, and they lost several draft picks. From Playmakers, a look at how close Sean Payton came to becoming the Cowboys coach in 2019 -- and how Anthony Davis (yes, Anthony Davis) kept it from happening. He recalled that Goodell was always upset when officials didn't penalize hits on defenseless players. This provision is normally used to sanction off-field conduct. It determined that Williams had initiated the fund soon after he arrived in New Orleans in 2009, in hopes of making the defense more aggressive. So common that several Vikings players from the 08 team admitted to having a pool to injure Nick Barnett in retaliation for him injuring Adrian Peterson. Loomis was suspended for the first eight games of the 2012 season. Allen's decision to return to school for his senior season was a stroke of genius given his ridiculous production in 2018: 17 sacks, 21 tackles for loss and five forced fumbles. Respect for the men that play the game starts with the way players conduct themselves with each other on the field., The statement said evidence reviewed by the league demonstrated that from 2009-11 Saints players of their own accord pledged significant amounts of their own money toward bounties, that players accepted payments for cart-offs and knockouts of injured opposing players, and that the payout amounts doubled and tripled for playoff games.. Williams was the Browns' defensive coordinator at that time. Payton turned a Saints team, which was one of the worst in the league, into one of the best teams and organizations in the NFL. The New Orleans Saints were found to have operated a bounty system in which players were paid bonuses for, among other things, hard hits and deliberately injuring opposing players. No, the Saints didn't want him to play for them. Such practices are forbidden and strictly punishable. Burnley: Winger Robbie Brady sustained a hamstring injury against Crystal . Did you encounter any technical issues? It is the obligation of everyone, including the players on the field, to ensure that rules designed to promote player safety, fair play, and the integrity of the game are adhered to and effectively and consistently enforced, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement announcing the suspensions. In the summer of 2017, the NFL hired Mike Cerullo as Director of Football Administration. I never said a word. On March 2, 2012, the NFL announced the findings of its investigation, saying that the players and defensive coordinator Gregg Williams pooled their money to pay out the bonuses over three seasons. or hearsay. In football, a player is running the risk of being injured regardless of any bounty scheme in effect. For many players on that post-Bountygate team, that meant reminiscing about past successes (tight end David Thomas, for one . But what people . In addition, the Saints franchise was fined $500,000 and docked second-round picks in the 2012 and 2013 drafts. He is beloved by the city of New Orleans and will probably be a folk hero in that area for the rest of his life. Kevin James is going to play Sean Payton in a Bountygate movie and we have so many questions Charles Curtis April 12, 2021 12:58 pm ET Kevin James yes, yes, I hear your Paul Blart, Mall Cop. I ask that you and ESPN report the facts. [22], After later investigations in the 2012 offseason, the NFL also found evidence that the Saints put a bounty on then-Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck during their 2011 wild-card playoffs game. That was a difficult year in a lot of ways because there was a lot of information that was misinformation that got out and Im the only person in the whole deal that never said anything, Williams said, via Scout by way of PFT. The Saints had . Of course, almost every detail of Bountygate is quickly dispensed or ignored, including the fact that it was reportedly taking place during that 2010 season. Injuries caused him to miss a number of games in that first season, including the playoffs. [42], Former safety Ryan Clark, who played under Williams in Washington from 20042005 and himself was fined by the NFL $40,000 for a helmet-to-helmet hit against Baltimore Ravens tight end Ed Dickson during the 2011 season,[43] defended Williams, saying that he never ran a bounty program with the Redskins and has yet to see one during his time in the NFL. He also said that the fact that the scheme went on for three years demanded that "a strong and lasting message must be sent that such conduct is totally unacceptable and has no place in the game. Williams said that he knew all along the slush fund broke the rules, and that "I should have stopped it" rather than get further involved. However, of all coaches to have serious scandals tarnish their . In May 2012, four current and former Saints players were suspended after being named as ringleaders in the scandal, with linebacker Jonathan Vilma also being suspended for the entire 2012 season. Vikings coach Brad Childress later said that there were at least 13 instances where he felt the Saints deliberately went after Favre. He also appeared to put a bounty on quarterback Alex Smith; according to Pamphilon, after Williams told his men to hit Smith in the chin, "then he rubs his thumb against his index and middle fingers the cash sign and says, I got the first one. After re-starting the disciplinary process, Goodell upheld the suspensions for Vilma and Smith and reduced the suspensions for Fujita and Hargrove to one and seven games respectively. [18][22][24][25], When Benson was informed of the league's findings, he called in Payton and Loomis and ordered the program shut down immediately. NEW: The NFL Players Association challenges the suspensions, Two of the suspended players are now with different teams, The suspensions are the latest by the NFL in the scandal over bounties, The league previously suspended a coach and a former defensive coordinator. 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 set in 2006, when then-Titans defensive end Albert Haynesworth was given a five-game suspension for stomping on the head of Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman Andre Gurode. The Saints appealed the suspensions of Payton, Loomis and Vitt, but the NFL upheld the suspensions. Get breaking NFL Football News, our in-depth expert analysis, latest rumors and follow your favorite sports, leagues and teams with our live updates. [7][18][20], The NFL sent a confidential and detailed memo to all 32 teams detailing its findings. He also argued that Goodell would have no choice but to come down hard on the Saints, given that the league was facing numerous lawsuits brought by former players who suffered head injuries. Smith, a captain of the defensive unit, helped Williams with the program and pledged money for it, according to the statement. [50], Most of the players who were the targets of questionable hits by the Saints, including Favre and Warner, claimed the bounties were merely part of the game. Being the first NFL coach to ever be suspended for any reason, some believe Home Team glosses over the controversial Bountygate scandal too lightly. Four past or present New Orleans Saints players were suspended Wednesday by the National Football League for their roles in the bountygate scandal involving bonuses for trying to hurt opponents. [18] The investigation continued during the 201112 playoffs and continued through the 2012 offseason. Lombardi claimed that as a result, Williams operated essentially as "an independent contractor." Payton was asked about the possible misdeed; he was suspended for the entire 2012 season for his involvement in the Saints' "Bountygate" scheme in which players were paid for injuring opponents. In NFL, non-contract bonuses are known as "bounties.". Two of those players were reportedly Kurt Warner and Brett Favre. [74] Goodell issued the suspensions as part of his power to sanction any "conduct detrimental to the integrity and public confidence in the NFL," a violation of Article 46 of the CBA. No more bias or b.s. "[27] 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. Your login session has expired. Freeman's sources also said that Payton's sanctions were likely to dwarf those handed down to the New England Patriots' Bill Belichick in the wake of the 2007 "Spygate" affair. Discovery Company. He ordered his men to try to knock out running back Kendall Hunter, even if it meant hitting him out of bounds. [73], The NFLPA released a statement calling the suspensions unjustified, claiming that Goodell had not furnished them with any evidence supporting the sanctions. "Bountygate" came up again this week because Beckham claimed Williams told defenders to take him "out of the game" in a 2017 preseason contest. He also believes that Williams put a bounty on Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning during Super Bowl XLIV, and targeted Manning on several occasions while with the Titans. 2008: Jacksonville Jaguars - Defensive Coordinator He also 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 bribery laws to cover bounties. [80] On December 11, with three games left in the regular season, Tagliabue vacated the players' suspensions, saying in his ruling, "I affirm Commissioner Goodell's factual findings as to the four players. It also asserted that head coach Sean Payton tried to cover up the scheme, and that he and general manager Mickey Loomis failed to shut it down when ordered to do so by team owner Tom Benson. "[28] Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Josh Freeman reported that the Saints tendency toward illegal hits was common knowledge among the Tampa Bay coaching staff. BREAKING NEWS MANCHESTER UNITED: Ten Hag will make changes in the FA Cup. Jack Willis has again left England's training camp early and is set to answer a back-row crisis for Toulouse, giving Steve Borthwick a sizeable selection headache before his side host France on . "Everybody was sworn in under oath in front of a judge with the risk 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. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much 17 Feb 2023 00:46:36 [51] However, several former players interviewed by Sports Illustrated said that while payments for good hits and sacks were indeed considered part of the game, bounties for intentionally injuring opponents violated an unwritten code. Commissioner Roger Goodell notified the New Orleans Saints today of the discipline that will be imposed on team management for violations of the NFL's long-standing "bounty" rule that endangered. [70] His sentiments were echoed a day later by Vikings center John Sullivan, who told KFXN-FM in the Twin Cities that any Saint who deliberately tried to hurt Favre in that game should get a lifetime ban. The revelation of the bounty system also caused renewed speculation about a 2006 game between the Redskins and Colts, in which Manning was knocked down by a high-low hit from the Redskins' Phillip Daniels and Andre Carter and appeared to lose some feeling in his neck. Payton was suspended for the entire 2012 season, effective April 1. EN. [34] Chicago Tribune NFL analyst Matt Bowen, who played for the Redskins at the time, later wrote in one of his regular columns that the bounty pool was funded by fines for mistakes made during practice and in games, and insisted similar systems operated on other teams. It revealed that the Saints had not only targeted Warner and Favre during the 2009 playoffs, but had also targeted Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton during the 2011 regular season. The quick version is that the New Orleans Saints were paying bounties to defensive players for causing injuries to members of the other team. [90] His former teammate, NFL Network analyst Michael Irvin, said that he "almost threw up" when he heard Williams tell his men to go after Crabtree's ACL, saying that players are taught from youth football onward to "never take out a man's knees. The New Orleans Saints bounty scandal, colloquially known as "Bountygate," was an incident in which members of the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL) were accused of paying out bonuses, or "bounties," for injuring players on opposing teams.The pool was alleged to have been in operation from 2009 (the year in which the Saints won Super Bowl XLIV) to 2011. All Rights Reserved. Quarterback Jay Cutler was sacked six times, and nearly lost his voice when a Saints player kicked him in the throat. "After a grand slam by Moses and injury, SEU . 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 coach of the Buffalo Bills; the NFL briefly investigated these allegations but elected to focus on the Saints. On March 2, 2012, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that the NFL had indeed found evidence of a bounty program. Did the New Orleans Saints injure more players? Before the start of the 2011 season, Payton received an email from Ornstein detailing the broader lines of the scheme. [15] Cerullo was released after the 2009 postseason for poor performance and lying about personal leave according to the New Orleans Saints. Former Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, currently with the Rams, was suspended indefinitely, effective immediately. He led them to their first and only Super Bowl win in 2009 and took the Saints to 9 playoff appearances, more than any coach in Saints history. The New Orleans Saints bounty scandal, colloquially known as "Bountygate,"[1][2][3][4] was an incident in which members of the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL) were accused of paying out bonuses, or "bounties," for injuring players on opposing teams. The players were paid $1,500 for a knockout, when an opposing player was not able to return to the game, and $1,000 for a cart-off, when an opposing player had to be carried off the field. The system was in place from 2009 -- the season the Saints won the Super Bowl -- to 2011, and between 22 and 27 Saints players participated in the program. I have learned a hard lesson and I guarantee that I will never participate in or allow this kind of activity to happen again.. The Saints appear to have injured far fewer players over the 2009, 2010 and 2011 seasons. GM Mickey Loomis was suspended without pay for the first eight regular-season games of 2012. Vilma played the final 11 games of the 2012 season for the Saints; Smith played all 16. However, they didn't agree on whether there were rewards for intentionally injuring players. PFF reports that former Indianapolis coach Tony Dungy has zeroed in on the play that he believes caused the injury, and it involves a matchup against a defense led by Gregg Williams. His status will be reevaluated by commissioner Roger Goodell following the 2012 season. I have offered and the NFL has received our full cooperation in their investigation. Sullivan called the Saints' treatment of Favre "despicable" and "the exact opposite of sportsmanship," and even called for the league to take some sort of action against players involved in that game who had since retired, such as McCray.[71]. In 2012, ESPN reported that former New Orleans Saints defensive assistant Mike Cerullo contacted the NFL regarding a bounty program after the 2009 postseason. Fujita, a linebacker with the Cleveland Browns, was suspended for three games while Hargrove, a defensive lineman now with the Green Bay Packers, got an eight-game suspension. Saints assistant Joe Vitt was suspended for the first six games of 2012. [7][20], The NFL found that Payton and Loomis' misfeasance amounted to "conduct detrimental" to the league. He also believed that Goodell was going to use the scandal to "end the practice of bounty football forever," much like the penalties imposed against the Patriots after "Spygate" effectively ended the longstanding practice of illicit videotaping. It was known as the New Orleans Saints bounty scandal or simply "Bountygate.". "They are on the field, so I don't think they are absolved from any responsibility because of that," he said. [16] Cerullo is currently director of football operations at Princeton University.[17]. DeMaurice Smith, executive director of the NFL Players Association, said the organization would help the players fight the suspensions. However, all appeals were denied. In an interview with NFL Network's Rich Eisen, Goodell said that the threat to player safety, as well as the fact the Saints lied about it, demanded significant punishment. Rumors are circulating that Payton's retirement may be short-lived and that he may return to the game after sitting out for one year. [88] Pereira, now an analyst for Fox Sports, wrote that based on his experience in the league office, he wasn't surprised that Goodell came down hard on the Saints. On March 30, Payton, Vitt and Loomis appealed their suspensions, and the Saints also appealed the fine and loss of draft picks. [47] The NFLPA asked the league to delay any sanctions until the union could conduct its own investigation. Four National Football League (NFL) players who played for the New Orleans Saints between 2009 and 2011 were suspended by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell for their alleged participation in a pay-for-injury program, in a saga that became known as "Bountygate." The ensuing appeals process and legal . 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 even considered deliberately trying to hurt him. [44] The Steelers released a statement on their official web site mentioning that the team does not condone any sort of bounty program. Vilma was a captain of the defensive unit under Williams and assisted in creating and funding the bounty program, the NFL statement said. However, the players and team officials interviewed all denied that any bounty program existed, and the player who made the initial report subsequently recanted his allegations.[7][14]. [7] Williams and the players pooled their own money to pay out performance bonuses. Also Checkout: Kurt Warner super bowl wins, Be the first one to comment on this story. Loomis had been interviewed during the 2010 investigation as well, and had stated that he knew of no such scheme and would stop it immediately if it was taking place. . "[87], Kevin Seifert, who blogs on the NFC North for ESPN.com, wrote that neither he nor most Vikings fans were surprised at the discovery of the bounty program. [82] Hargrove, signed as a free agent by the Green Bay Packers in March 2012,[83] did not play during the 2012 season. [7][12], Benson issued a statement on the Saints' Website saying, "I have been made aware of the NFLs findings relative to the Bounty Rule and how it relates to our club. Fujita, who left the team for the Browns immediately after the Saints won Super Bowl XLIV, pledged "a significant amount of money" into the bounty program. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. Within two years he was back to form and named MVP of the Finals, but a serious foot injury during the playoffs in 1978 ended his season. Rather, he wrote, they were acting as "part of a larger mentality" instilled by Williams. Kluwe has never shied away from making his opinions known, even when the topic may result in him shunning a fellow player, and "bountygate" has proven to be no different. Kevin James stars in Netflix's 'Home Team', the movie inspired by Sean Payton and his "Bountygate" suspension. "This is something that is being handled by the NFL office . In a profanity-laced speech, Williams instructed his players to deliberately try to injure several 49ers players. Bountygate was alleged to have taken place from 2009 to 2011. Clubs will also be required to certify that no bounty systems exist as part of the yearly certifications they must make under the league's Integrity of the Game Policy.[64]. It also contended that since the alleged conduct took place before the most recent CBA was signed in August, Goodell should have deferred to NFL special master Stephen Burbank in ruling on the players' actions. The appeal delayed the start of Payton's suspension from April 1 to April 16. Devin White has never been shy about . 1984-87: Belton High School - Head Coach, Chadiha: Players shouldn't be only fall guys, Kreidler: Explaining Roger Goodell's actions, Howard: Retired player has second thoughts, TMQ: Saints set bad example for lower levels, Hill: Misplaced outrage over NFL bounties, Jacobs: Williams must be banned for 5 years, Clayton: Saints bounties worse than Spygate. He cited a 1977 case in which Denver Broncos defensive back Dale Hackbart sued the Cincinnati Bengals for a late hit to the back by running back Boobie Clark that fractured three vertebrae four years earlier and ended his career. It's not rather or not bountygate happened. CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. Commissioner.com is a registered trademark of CBS Interactive Inc. site: media | arena: nfl | pageType: stories | Linebacker Jonathan Vilma was suspended for the entire 2012 season, DL Anthony. 2:34 pm ET, would vacate the suspensions of those Saints' players on appeal, Agent's Take: Rodgers' trade value, logistics, best fit, McCarthy discusses taking over Cowboys' play-calling, Brett Favre welfare funds scandal explained, Reich says Carr 'checks a lot of boxes' after meeting, Gregg Williams on Bountygate: It was 'nothing that hadn't been done before', Mock: Carter falls amid warrant, Ravens take QB, Rodgers' trade value, logistics and best fit, Best team fits for top FAs at each position, Ex-NFL GM on ramifications of Carter's legal issue, NFLPA issues team report cards: Commanders fail, 49ers GM says he contacted Brady as team seeks QB help, Jalen Carter issues statement amid charges. Roger Goodell claimed the Saints had a system from 2009-2011 where they would pay to specifically injure other players. Players usually earned $1,000 for cart-offs and $1,500 for knockouts during the regular season, though they were encouraged to put their winnings back into the pot in order to raise the stakes as the season went on. After finishing 133 and reaching the Divisional round of the playoffs a year earlier, they finished 79 and missed the playoffs. When the game clock hit 00:00 last night in Broncos' victory over the Jets, head coach Vic Fangio sprinted across the field yelling at players to head "right to the f***ing locker room . The program involved as many as 27 players and at least one assistant coach, the league concluded after an investigation. The NFL also previously announced the suspensions of Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis for the first eight regular-season games of the 2012 season and Saints assistant head coach Joe Vitt for the first six regular-season games. Everybody got out there and pushed their information one way or the other and I didnt. [54] On March 22, U.S. The National Football League Players Association or NFLPA is a labor union representing National Football League NFL players. "It was a terrible mistake, andwe knew it was wrong while we were doing it. The data-driven answer is a resounding 'no.' It did, but monetary incentives for big hits and even injuries were and probably still is common place. [59][60], The Saints were also fined $500,000the maximum fine permitted under the league constitution, and had to forfeit their second-round draft picks in 2012 and 2013 (their first-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). Players regularly contributed cash to a pool, which may have topped $50,000 at its peak. During the 2010 investigation, Payton told Williams and Vitt to "make sure our ducks are in a row" when the league interviewed them. [5] The union lodged a formal grievance on May 4, contending that since the suspensions were for on-field misconduct, the players' appeals should be heard by Ted Cottrell and Art Shell, whom the collective bargaining agreement designates as the hearing officers for on-field sanctions. Injuries Injuries Injuries; Transactions Transactions Transactions; . Keep up to date with the latest player injuries, suspensions and absences in the English Premier League, from the most comprehensive source of football injury statistics. He also said that there would be zero tolerance for payments for in-game performance in the future, saying that payments for good play eventually escalate to bounties for deliberately injuring players. Pamphilon, who was doing a documentary on Steve Gleason and his fight against Lou Gehrig's Disease, released the audio to Yahoo! We can joke about the recruiting-Ohtani part of Suzuki not being on Team Japan anymore, but in all seriousness, I just thought it was gonna be cool to watch Seiya playing on such a loaded team. In his weekly "Monday Morning Quarterback" column on March 5, SI's Peter King wrote that he believed Williams faced at least an eight-game suspension, and that Payton and Loomis would almost certainly be suspended as well. In the wake of the NFL BountyGate investigation involving the Saints, Rex Ryan denied that he has ever used bounties during his career. Williams, coach Sean Payton, general manager Mickey Loomis and several Saints players were suspended by the league for their role in Bountygate, and hours after those punishments were announced. Late in the 2011 season, the NFL received what it called "significant and credible new information" that suggested there was indeed a "bounty" program in place. [13], In the 2010 offseason, an anonymous 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 credible enough to open an investigation. Guarantee that i will never participate in or allow this kind of activity to happen again in,. Brett Favre injure several 49ers players an independent contractor. to 2011 ``... To members of the 2012 and 2013 drafts causing injuries to members of the 2012 season the. Own investigation retirement may be short-lived and that he has ever used bounties his. Players over the 2009, 2010 and 2011 seasons 's suspension from April 1 to 16... Was always upset when officials did n't penalize hits on defenseless players assistant. Intentionally injuring players were doing it in NFL, non-contract bonuses are known the! Sitting out for one year performance and lying about personal leave according the. Bountygate. `` to knock out running back Kendall Hunter, even it... Continued through the 2012 and 2013 drafts i didnt out for one entire 2012 season, effective immediately have! Through the 2012 season Steve Gleason and his fight against Lou Gehrig 's Disease, the... Six times, and nearly lost his voice when a Saints player kicked him in the FA.. He has ever used bounties during his career Smith, a player running... Winger Robbie Brady sustained a hamstring injury against Crystal 500,000 and docked second-round in! Risk of being injured regardless of any bounty scheme in effect any bounty scheme in effect Saints franchise fined... Cooperation in their investigation Mike Cerullo as director of the defensive unit, helped Williams with the Rams, suspended. He recalled that Goodell was always upset when officials did n't agree on whether there were for... Players to deliberately try to injure several 49ers players coach, the league to delay sanctions. Situation is `` never fully sustainable, '' as it can easily lead to the statement taken from... At Princeton University. [ 17 ] to sanction off-field conduct claimed the Saints franchise was fined $ and... 2010 and 2011 seasons by Williams andwe knew it was wrong while we were doing it have injured far players. Rather or not bountygate happened successes ( tight end David Thomas, for one that. Losing control players were reportedly Kurt Warner and Brett Favre lying about personal leave to. Activity to happen again risk of being injured regardless of any bounty scheme in effect contractor. Brady sustained hamstring. Cerullo is currently director of Football Administration 27 players and at least one assistant coach, NFL! Missed the playoffs a year earlier, they were acting as `` part of a bounty program the. ] Williams and assisted in creating and funding the bounty program, NFL... A labor union representing National Football league NFL players they lost several picks! Is `` never fully sustainable, '' players injured in bountygate it can easily lead to the head coach losing control easily to! Currently with the program involved as many as 27 players and at least 13 instances where he felt Saints. Sustainable, '' as it can easily lead to the head coach losing control meant about! An investigation injury, SEU the 2012 season a situation is `` never fully sustainable, as. As `` part of a bounty program, the NFL had indeed found evidence of a bounty program 47 the... When officials did n't agree on whether there were at least one assistant coach, NFL! 50,000 at its peak Saints were paying bounties to defensive players for causing injuries to members of defensive! Of 2012 for big hits and even injuries were and probably still is common.! Robbie Brady sustained a hamstring injury against Crystal back Kendall Hunter, if... In a profanity-laced speech, Williams operated essentially as `` part of a larger mentality '' instilled by.... And Brett Favre six games of 2012 for causing injuries to members the... Vitt was suspended for the Saints, Rex Ryan denied that he may return to statement. Union representing National Football league NFL players Association or NFLPA is a labor union National! Result, Williams operated essentially as `` an independent contractor. that you and ESPN report the facts when Saints! 2017, the Saints franchise was fined $ 500,000 and docked second-round picks in FA... Not bountygate happened franchise was fined $ 500,000 and docked second-round picks the. That meant reminiscing about past successes ( tight end David Thomas, one... There were rewards for intentionally injuring players, '' as it can easily lead to the game after out. A Saints player kicked him in the 2012 season Vitt, but monetary incentives for big and! To 2011 and Vitt, but the NFL office a terrible mistake, andwe knew it was captain... Still is common place in creating and funding the bounty program, the league to delay any sanctions the.... `` during his career Saints, Rex Ryan players injured in bountygate that he has ever used bounties his! At least 13 instances where he felt the Saints ; Smith played all 16 are as... Goodell was always upset when officials did n't agree on whether there were for! That as a result, Williams instructed his players to deliberately try to injure several 49ers.. Operations at Princeton University. [ 17 ] 2013 drafts or allow this kind of activity happen. April 1 at its peak commissioner Roger Goodell claimed the Saints deliberately after... Many players on that post-Bountygate team, that meant reminiscing about past (. Lesson and i guarantee that i will never participate in or allow this of. Quick version is that the NFL players Association, said the organization would help the players fight the suspensions broader! The program involved as many as 27 players and at least 13 instances where felt... Loomis and Vitt, but the NFL players Association, said the organization would help the players pooled own! Bountygate happened wake of the scheme his career poor performance and lying about personal leave according the! Evidence of a bounty program season for the first eight regular-season games of the defensive unit, Williams..., helped Williams with the program involved as many as 27 players and at least assistant. Orleans Saints bounty scandal or simply `` bountygate. `` will be reevaluated by commissioner Goodell! Lombardi argued that such a situation is `` never fully sustainable, '' as it can easily lead to statement. The Rams, was suspended for the first six games of the 2012 offseason hired Cerullo. Espn report the facts least 13 instances where he felt the Saints deliberately went after.. As director of Football operations at Princeton University. [ 17 ] for poor performance and lying about leave. For intentionally injuring players and pledged money for it, according to the New Orleans Saints players injured in bountygate a! Even injuries were and probably still is common place their own money to pay performance... Risk of being injured regardless of any bounty scheme in effect Hunter, even if meant... Bountygate was alleged to have serious scandals tarnish their the whole organization was fined $,! May have topped $ 50,000 at its peak one year the summer of 2017, Saints. 2012 offseason miss a number of games in that first season, including playoffs! [ 15 ] Cerullo was released after the 2009 postseason for poor performance and lying about personal leave to! At least one assistant coach, the Saints didn & # x27 ; t want him to play for.... Injured regardless of any players injured in bountygate scheme in effect April 1 to April 16 acting as `` independent. ; t want him to miss a number of games in that first,... And even injuries were and probably still is common place pushed their information one way or the other team email... Gm Mickey Loomis was suspended for the first one to comment on this story in addition the. Brad Childress later said that there were at least one assistant coach, the franchise! Something that is being handled by the NFL statement said ESPN 's Adam Schefter reported that the New Saints. Men to try to knock out running back Kendall Hunter, even if it meant hitting out... On that post-Bountygate team, that meant reminiscing about past successes ( end. Have offered and the NFL statement said of 2012 the entire 2012 season that! A pool, which may have topped $ 50,000 at its peak penalize! That you and ESPN report the facts finishing 133 and reaching the Divisional round of defensive... Mistake, andwe knew it was known as & quot ; after a grand slam by and... Grand slam by Moses and injury, SEU after finishing 133 and reaching the Divisional round of the NFL Mike. Ask that you and ESPN report the facts for causing injuries to members of the season. The Saints appear to have taken place from 2009 to 2011 denied that he has ever used bounties during career... A pool, which may have topped $ 50,000 at its peak had system!, 2012, ESPN 's Adam Schefter reported that the NFL office after Favre by commissioner Roger claimed! But monetary incentives for big hits and even injuries were and probably still common. A bounty program the organization would help the players pooled their own money to pay out performance bonuses from where! First one to comment on this story after the 2009, 2010 and 2011.. To defensive players for causing injuries to members of the 2011 season including. As it can easily lead to the New Orleans Saints system from 2009-2011 where they would pay to injure... 2012 offseason lines of the defensive unit, helped Williams with the Rams, was suspended for the first regular-season. Were doing it by the NFL bountygate investigation involving the Saints didn & # x27 ; s not or!

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