NFL releases some evidence regarding New Orleans Saints bounty scandal ahead of Monday's appeals
According to the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) signed last year between the National Football League (NFL) and the NFL Players Association (NFLPA), the league is liable to release evidence before hearing any appeals filed by players against punishments
handed down.
This is exactly what the NFL did on Friday as they released some of the evidence used by commissioner, Roger Goodell to punish the four New Orleans Saints players suspended for their role in the bounty scandal.
According to the lawyer for Saints linebacker, Jonathan Vilma, the evidence provided by the league consisted of a PowerPoint presentation of quotes given by former defensive coordinator for the New Orleans Saints and the brains behind the bounty scandal,
Gregg Williams.
The league also provided many hand written notes, documents and a video recording.
Vilma’s lawyer, Peter Ginsberg speaking to the media said that he expects to see further evidence during the appeals.
"The NFL provided a slide show of Gregg Williams' most outrageous comments,"
Adding further he said.
"It is evidence that reflects an assistant coach in the NFL has a style that might rightfully be distasteful but that has been tolerated for years by several NFL teams. It in no way supports any of the accusations that Commissioner Goodell has so publicly
made against Jonathan.”
He also went on to say that the evidence showed nothing that suggested that the players were involved in taking money for bounties.
“There is nothing that evidences any of the players were involved in putting money on the heads of opposing players the way the Commissioner has suggested."
NFL spokesperson, Greg Aiello told NFL.com that everything shown was in line with the rules and regulations laid out in the CBA.
Aiello was also asked about the request made by the NFLPA to have suspended Saints coaches present during the appeals on Monday.
However, the spokesperson refused to comment on details regarding Monday’s hearing.
All eyes will now turn to the appeals set to take place on Monday where commissioner, Goodell will himself conduct proceedings.
The players will look to see evidence that makes them guilty of taking bounties and will also try and get their long sentences reduced.
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