Detroit Lions Safety Chris Harris says bounty programs "common" among teams - NFL News
With last Friday’s revelations that the New Orleans Saints were running an illegal bounty program setup to pay players who injure opponents, many current and former National Football League (NFL) players have voiced their opinions on the controversy.
The latest player is Detroit Lions safety Chris Harris who in an interview with the Detroit Free Press said that it is not surprising that New Orleans ran a bounty program.
According to Harris, such practices have been common in the game throughout its history and even though he said that Detroit did not run any such programs but such pay for performance incentives are common among teams.
"I don't know how many teams are doing that or how common it is. But it doesn't surprise me."
The Safety went on to add that it is part of the culture of some franchises and has been in use in the past.
"I think that's been going on way longer than I've been in the league. Like I said, I think it's just part of the culture. It's something that's been going on forever. Not saying it's right, but that's from past cultures."
The Saints, according to an NFL investigation, were running a bounty program under the guidance of their former and now current St. Louis Rams defensive coordinator Gregg Williams.
The report by the NFL revealed that New Orleans’ defensive unit had a bounty pool of around $ 50,000 and Williams had set up bounties for players who injured their opponents.
Players could earn $ 1,000 for knocking out a particular opponent and a further $ 1,500 if he was helped off the field.
Such bounties are illegal according to NFL rules and the Saints are expected to be punished heavily for their involvement.
It is also alleged that both current Saints head coach Sean Payton and general manager Mickey Loomis had full knowledge of the program but did nothing to stop it.
The NFL first investigated the incident in 2010 but could not find enough evidence against the franchise since players refused the existence of any such incentives.
Now however, the league has found irrefutable evidence and the severity of the allegations will likely lead to hard hitting punishments on all players and coaches involved.
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