Arizona Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald talks about New Orleans Saints bounty scandal - NFL News
When National Football League (NFL) commissioner, Roger Goodell, announced the suspension of four players for their involvement in the New Orleans Saints bounty scandal early last week, the decision was met by big criticism from players.
Players took to Twitter to express their displeasure at the severe punishments handed down to their colleagues and said that they wish to see the evidence used by the league to punish the players.
However, Arizona Cardinals wide receiver, Larry Fitzgerald has taken the opposite route and come out in support of the punishments handed down by Goodell.
Speaking to the NFL Network’s Rich Eisen, the wide receiver gave his take on the bounty scandal and the punishments handed down by the league.
"I think it's unfortunate ... that authority figures in the league implemented such a thing,"
He went on to add.
"I think Roger Goodell, our commissioner, had to do something to let everybody know that was not going to be tolerated, and moving forward, this is not something that is going to be acceptable,”
Fitzgerald said that he does not believe that the players involved in the bounty scandal are bad personalities and says that he has met them personally and found them to be nice.
"I've known Jonathan Vilma for a very long time ... Will Smith actually hosted me on my visit to Ohio State in college. I've known these guys a really long time and they're not bad men by any stretch of the imagination, so I feel bad that they are losing
game checks and losing an opportunity to make a living."
Fitzgerald’s view is an exception to the rule as a large number of players are against the suspensions handed down by Goodell.
New Orleans Saints linebacker and defensive line captain, Jonathan Vilma received the severest punishment of the four after he was suspended for the entirety of the 2012-13 season.
Green Bay Packers defensive end and former Saints player, Anthony Hargrove was suspended for eight games.
Saints defensive end, Will Smith received a four-game suspension while Cleveland Browns linebacker and former Saints player, Scott Fujita was suspended for three games.
All four players will not receive any salaries during the term of their suspensions.
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