NFL memo to franchises says NFLPA did not share information from its own investigation into bounty scandal
The National Football League (NFL) on Wednesday after announcing the suspensions to New Orleans Saints players involved in the bounty scandal released an internal memo to all 32 franchises in the league.
The memo according to NFL.com reiterated the major points taken into consideration by the league to punish the players but on a more interesting note it alleged that the players union NFL Players Association (NFLPA) did not share any information it gained from its own independent investigation.
The memo also said that the union also did not notify the league that it had in its possession filmmaker Sean Pamphilon’s audio tape in which former Saints defensive coordinator, Gregg Williams can be heard extorting his players to go out and injure San Francisco 49ers players before the 2011 National Football Conference (NFC) divisional round game.
The memo written by NFL commissioner, Roger Goodell, said.
"While the NFLPA has publicly stated that it conducted its own investigation into this matter, the union has shared no information with us from that investigation,"
It continued.
"As one example, we learned that the union may have had the tape recording of a speech given before the divisional playoff game between the Saints and the San Francisco 49ers this past January. Although a version of this tape recording has been widely publicized, the union has never shared it with us."
The NFLPA has maintained that in its investigation it had found no significant evidence of the players being actively involved in taking bounties.
The union has also vowed after the release of the punishments that it will provide assistance to the suspended players during the appeals process.
Roger Goodell in a press release early on Wednesday suspended four players heavily involved in running the bounty program.
Saints linebacker and defensive line captain, Jonathan Vilma, was suspended for the entire 2012-13 season without pay while defensive end, Will Smith was suspended for four games.
Former Saints players Anthony Hargrove and Scott Fujita were also suspended for eight and three games respectively for their involvement in the programme.
Both Vilma and Smith have released statements through their agents denying the accusations and are ready to appeal the suspensions.
Tags: