New Orleans Saints caught operating illegal bounty system for three seasons - NFL News
New Orleans Saints have had their good reputation sullied completely after it emerged that the team’s defensive line-up maintained a bounty system for injuring opponents with the full knowledge of head coach Sean Payton and under the guidance of ex-defensive coordinator Gregg Williams.
The National Football League (NFL) made the stunning announcement on Friday as it shared the results of an investigation which had started in 2010.
The league found that most players of the Saints defensive line maintained a bounty system pool of around $ 50,000 during a three season period from 2009-11 with defensemen being paid varying bounties for injuring opponents severely.
According to the league’s investigation a player would earn $ 1,500 for knocking out an opponent and $ 1,000 if he is carted off the field.
All of this took place under defensive coordinator Gregg Williams who is alleged to maintaining a similar payment system during his time with the Washington Red Skins.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in a statement said that such systems which hamper player safety will not be tolerated and strict actions will be taken against all people involved.
“The payments here are particularly troubling because they involved not just payments for 'performance,' but also for injuring opposing players. The bounty rule promotes two key elements of NFL football: player safety and competitive integrity.”
Goodell also revealed that investigations were underway during 2009-10 but were stopped when players being interviewed denied any knowledge of any such system while the player who made the allegations retracted his statements.
However, new and credible information was received during 2011 season and the investigations reopened leading to Friday’s bust.
The Saints defence faced some big accusations of being dirty by many of their opponents during last season and players such as Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson alleged that the Saints specifically targeted his injured ankle.
The NFL commissioner went on to add that.
"It is our responsibility to protect player safety and the integrity of our game, and this type of conduct will not be tolerated. We have made significant progress in changing the culture with respect to player safety and we are not going to relent. We have more work to do and we will do it."
New Orleans Saints fans will be hanging their heads in shame, while franchise owner Tom Benson will be shocked by the allegations and the failure of his general manager Mickey Loomis to stop such kind of activities.
Both head coach Sean Payton and the general manager will now be looking at hefty fines with many Saints players also receiving suspensions and further fines for their participation in the illegal activities.
Defensive coach Gregg Williams who has now signed for the Rams released his own apology statement after the revelations but will be facing fines due to his actions.
Further developments are expected in the coming days.
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