Grounds for suspensions given to New Orleans Saints players over bounty scandal revealed - NFL News
The National Football League (NFL) earlier in the week finally announced punishments for New Orleans Saints players who were involved in the bounty scandal.
Commissioner, Roger Goodell announced some tough suspensions for four players who according to him were the ring leaders and completely embraced the program set in place by defensive coordinator, Gregg Williams.
Saints linebacker and defensive line captain, Jonathan Vilma received the severest of punishments by the league as he was suspended for the entirety of the 2012-13 NFL season.
The other three players suspended were former Saints and now Green Bay Packers defensive end, Anthony Hargrove, Saints defensive end, Will Smith and former Saints and now Cleveland Browns linebacker, Scott Fujita who each received eight, four and three game
bans respectively.
All the four players will not receive any salary or compensation for the duration of their suspension.
In the first announcement only the punishments were mentioned without the entire allegations.
However, now the entire details of the punishments have come to light according to a story by
NFL.com.
Smith was suspended by the league for allegedly helping Williams setup the bounty programme and also provided funds for the bounties.
“As to Mr. Smith, the suspension letter alleged that 'the record establishes that you assisted Coach Williams in establishing and funding the program' and 'pledged significant sums during the 2009 playoffs toward the program pool for cart-offs and knockouts
of the Saints' opposing players.'”
Linebacker Scott Fujita was also accused of pledging big amounts for the bounty programme and this was the main reason for his three-game suspension.
Hargrove was accused of actively participating in the programme and making hits on targeted opponents.
"As to Mr. Hargrove, the suspension letter claimed that 'the record establishes that you actively participated in the program while a member of the Saints,' and purported to suspend Mr. Hargrove for conduct detrimental.' "
Jonathan Vilma’s reason for suspension is already known as he was the only player mentioned by name in the first NFL report that revealed the existence of the bounty programme.
The linebacker was alleged to have pledged $ 10,000 to teammates during the 2009 National Football Conference (NFC) Championship game against Minnesota Vikings to knock out their quarterback, Brett Favre.
More revelations are expected during the week over the scandal.
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