Bounties payment scandal: Titans former DE Josh Evans says they didn’t get paid for rough plays-NFL News
As the scandal of bounty payments highlight a totally different players’ safety perspective of the National Football League (NFL), the alleged involvement of Gregg Williams is being tracked to all the teams, which he has served as a coach during the professional
tenure.
Some reports have brought Tennessee Titans in the spotlight because Williams was at the side as a defensive co-ordinator in 1997 and there is a possibility that he might have adopted his ‘pay for performance’ strategy there also.
However, the team’s former defensive end, Josh Evans, said on Saturday, March 03, 2012, that there was no such practice at Titans during Williams’ tenure.
Evans said that the team did have a players reward programme, but that was for payment of amounts to the players for big plays, not for the fouls.
He said:
"It was a thing where veterans and guys on defence always put up money for things that might change the game-hard hits, interceptions, sacks.”
He added:
“I have never known Gregg to say, 'Try to hurt somebody.' Guys were rewarded for making a big play or a hard hit. He probably knew. I don't think he went against it."
Williams is under inquiry over the alleged involvement of his ‘pay for performance programme’, through which he is found to have been paying a player $1500 for knocking down the opponent and $1000 for curt-off hits.
It is further reported that he would double the amount in the playoffs and conference championship games.
The programme has come as a surprise for the football community, especially to those who are advocating for more measures on the players’ safety and welfare.
Williams is also reported to have apologised over the actions after admitting his mistake, but he remains on call for an interview with the league office and outcome of the meeting might throw a light on some of other aspects of the illegal activity.
According to different reports, Williams is expected to meet the league officials on Monday.
Interestingly, the injured players such as Indianapolis Colts’ quarterback, Peyton Manning, who became a victim of a furious hit, are feared to be likely the victims of the practice that Williams promoted.
It is not clear yet if the league office is going to penalise the official for the illegal programme and what would be the penalty, but some observers think that banning Williams from participating in all aspects of the game in any capacity would be the
right punishment.
It is also expected that all the other officials including team managers and coaches, who were aware of this illegal activity, might also be punished.
Meanwhile, a number of theories have emerged around different aspects of Williams’ programme, linking more players and teams to the possibility of them being beneficiaries.
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