Vitt, who had been tabbed as a possible candidate to serve as interim coach in Payton's absence, was suspended for the first six games of the 2012 season. "[16] He was particularly angered that those involved had denied there was a bounty program in place. 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 being unable to return for the rest of the game). Between 22 and 27 Saints defensive players were involved. "They are on the field, so so I don't think they are absolved from any responsibility because of that," he said. Clark added that he would have reported Williams or any coach that offered to run such a program. The NFLPA called the suspension unjustified and claimed Goodell hadn't provided enough evidence to support the sanctions. [9] Vikings owner Zygi Wilf even went as far as to complain to the league about what happened to Favre, though no action was taken at the time. However, according to many former players, bounty systems of some sort have been around the NFL for decades, with the percentage of players participating speculated to be between 30 and 40 percent. 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. JAMES HARRISON SAYS STEELERS HEAD COACH MIKE TOMLIN HANDED HIM AN ENVELOPE AFTER VIOLENT HIT IN 2010. [11][5], 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. [68] However, a league source told CBSSports.com's Judge that it also gives Goodell the power to rule on in-game conduct if he feels that it runs counter to the integrity of the game.[69].
NFL bountygate evidence includes computer files, extra targets, more '"[33], On March 4, The Post reported that the NFL is investigating the allegations against Williams with the Redskins. Coy Wire, a safety during Williams' tenure, said that Williams gave bonuses for hits that left opponents seriously injured, and two other players said that bonuses were also awarded for "knockouts." The game would later be referred to as ?The Bountygate Game.? The Saints defeated the Vikings in overtime, 31-28, but after the game Vikings players, coaches and front office officials claimed Saints defenders were intentionally trying to hurt Vikings quarterback Brett Favre.
Bountygate for Vikings fans : Saints - Reddit The game would later be referred to as ?The Bountygate Game.? For instance, a special teamer who downed a kick returner inside the receiving team's 20-yard-line earned $100. "Bountygate" Footage - Saints vs Vikings (2009 NFC Championship). The Vikings were particularly angered when Saints defensive end Bobby McCray and defensive tackle Remi Ayodele knocked Favre to the ground with a high-low hit. However, Woodson felt that several parts of Williams' speechparticularly his calls to go after Crabtree's ACL and target Williams specifically because he had concussions in the pastwent too far. The Saints organization was penalized with a $500,000 fine and forced to forfeit their second-round draft selections in 2012 and 2013. "Seven people testified, 2 sworn affidavits all saying the same thing. On May 2, 2012, four current and former Saints players were suspended after being named as ringleaders in the scandal, with linebacker Jonathan Vilma being suspended for the entire 2012 seasonthe longest suspension for an on-field incident in modern NFL history. "[30] 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. I gave you facts that you can report if so choose.
Saints 'bountygate' suspensions: Is Roger Goodell fighting football itself? Vikings coach Brad Childress counted at least 13 instances that game, one of which involved defensive end Bobby McCray and defensive lineman Remi Ayodele combining for a high-low hit on the Hall-of-Fame quarterback. 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. Goodell absolutely brought the hammer down on the Saints. I conclude that Hargrove, Smith and Vilmabut not Fujitaengaged 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]. 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 being unable to return for the rest of the game). In one instance, Saints linebackerJonathan Vilma offered $10,000 to anyone who knocked Favre out of that NFC Championship game. On September 7, 2012, the Burbank appeals panel vacated the suspensions imposed on the four, and the NFL confirmed that the ruling reinstated them in time for their first games of the 2012 season two days later. But I would be shocked, that'll be something that gets tucked away or under the rug at Park Avenue. Rather, he wrote, they were acting as "part of a larger mentality" instilled by Williams. Here are a few lines from it. [93] 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. [29] The NFL found 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. Chicago Black Sox fixing the 1919 World Series, claimed Saints defenders were intentionally trying to hurt Vikings quarterback Brett Favre, Roger Goodell's Staggering Net Worth Proves He Could Retire Today, Taysom Hill is Valuable, But Not Worth Franchise QB Money, Saints Fans Throw Trash at Officials After 'No Call' Against Vikings, Roger Goodell Does His Usual Dance Around Every Pressing NFL Question, The Reason Why the Saints Lost Has Nothing to Do With Pass Interference, Gregg Williams suspended indefinitely, eligible to apply for reinstatement at end of 2012 season, Sean Payton suspended for the entire 2012 season, Mickey Loomis suspended for first eight games of 2012 season, Assistant head coach and linebackers coach Joe Vitt suspended for first six games of 2012 season, Saints forfeited 2012 and 2013 second-round NFL draft picks, LB Jonathan Vilma suspended for entire 2012 season, DT Anthony Hargrove suspended for eight games, LB Scott Fujita suspended for three games. The league has not yet announced any disciplinary action against the players involved. You know where this is heading. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Go get it. Payton was suspended for the entire 2012 season, effective April 1. 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]. The NFL's retort is that with all due deference, you don't get to second guess (Goodell). 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 Draft and future drafts. An estimated 22-27 Saints players participated in the bounty program put in place by Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell wound up imposing some of the harshest penalties the league has ever seen. Payton and Loomis also apologized to Benson and the Saints fans, and promised that such behavior would never happen again. The NFL dropped a bombshell on the New Orleans Saints Wednesday, announcing the punishments for "Bountygate." Included in that punishment was a stunning one-year suspension for Saints head. 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. [34], Former NFL coach and current NBC Sports NFL analyst Tony Dungy later told Profootballtalk.com he was certain that Williams operated a similar bounty system while he was defensive coordinator of the Oilers/Titans from 1997 to 2000.
Saints Bounty Scandal - NFL Topics - ESPN 1993: Houston Oilers - Special Teams Coach In a profanity-laced speech, Williams instructed his players to deliberately try to injure several 49ers players.
Former Saints revel in Goodell's court defeat - ESPN Some wrongdoings are just too important to ignore. In 2012, ESPN reported that former New Orleans Saints defensive assistant Mike Cerullo contacted the NFL regarding a bounty program after the 2009 postseason. 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. 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. Saints quarterback Drew Brees denied he knew of the bounty system in place. 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. [25][26], The league found that Payton not only knew about the scheme, but tried to cover it up during both league investigations. However, all appeals were denied. It all began in the 2009 NFC Championship game between the Saints and Minnesota Vikings. Payton was asked about the allegation and said in an interview on 105.7 The Fan in Baltimore that he would be shocked if there was a thorough investigation or some kind of punishmentsimilar to the Saints own scandal in which the coach was suspended for a season. Saints Bountygate evidence summary and screenshots. The league constitution specifically forbids payment of bonuses based on performances against an individual player or team, as well as bonuses for on-field misconduct; the NFL holds that such practices undermine the integrity of the game, and also would allow teams to use such payments to circumvent the salary cap. However, Woodson felt that several parts of Williams' speechparticularly his calls to go after Crabtree's ACL and target Williams specifically because he had concussions in the pastwent too far. Fujita and Hargrove had left the Saints by the time the suspensions were handed down. 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. Multiple former Redskins players came forward to the Washington Post accusing him, as did former Bills players to The Buffalo News. [60] Payton, Vitt and Loomis met with Goodell on April 5. ESPN NFL analyst and former Dallas Cowboys safety Darren Woodson said that much of Williams' speech was standard pregame rhetoric.
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