New Orleans Saints DE Will Smith denies allegations, will appeal suspension by NFL
After New Orleans Saints linebacker, Jonathan Vilma released his statement over the season long suspension handed down to him by the National Football League (NFL) for his role in the bounty program another suspended player has also released his own statement
over the punishments.
Saints defensive end, Will Smith was suspended by the NFL for four games of 2012-13 seasons for being involved in taking bounties to injure opponents.
However, the defensive end refutes all such claims and in a statement released through his publicist has said that all accusations levelled against him are false.
The 30-year-old also said that he will appeal the sentence handed down. He also added that the league never discussed or talked to him about any evidence which proved his involvement in the bounty scheme.
“I was in no way involved in establishing or assisting Gregg Williams with implementing a bounty program. The accusations made against me are completely and one-hundred percent false, and I plan to appeal the decision along with the help of the NFL Players
Association,"
Adding further he said.
"I am interested in discovering who is making these specific and false accusations, and as well as why a decision was made without speaking with me and giving me the opportunity to review the facts. I am going to work with my union to clear my name and returning
to the game I love and respect.”
Smith was alleged by the NFL to have helped established the bounty program for former defensive coordinator, Gregg Williams.
The NFL announced the player suspensions on Wednesday, after weeks of deliberation by commissioner, Roger Goodell on the appropriate punishments to be given to Saints players who were involved in the scandal.
Goodell has already slapped the franchise with a $ 500,000 fine and took away second round picks in the NFL Drafts for two seasons.
The Saints coaching and front office staff also received hefty punishments for their role in hiding the existence of the bounty scheme from NFL investigators.
The bounty program ran in the franchise’s defensive unit from 2009-11 and its existence only came to light at the start of this year’s offseason.
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