Sure, it sounds cliché. But New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton didn't believe the message and neither did ex-Saints (and current St. Louis Rams defensive coordinator) Gregg Williams. But after carrying on with a bounty program for the past three seasons and then continuing to lie about it, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell had enough.
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| Saints head coach Sean Payton and ex-Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams. AP |
Just to get you caught up, Saints players and Williams ran a bounty program to reward players for hits on opposing players during the 2009, 2010 and 2011 seasons. The program was primarily funded by players and violated NFL rules. According to news reports, the program included bounty payments to players for inflicting injuries on opposing players that would result in them being removed from the game. In some instances, the amounts pledged were big and were directed against specific opposing quarterbacks such as Kurt Warner, Brett Favre, Aaron Rodgers, and Cam Newton.
One of the most egregious offenses was when Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma, a defensive captain, offered $10,000 to any player who knocked Favre out of the NFC Championship game in New Orleans on Jan. 24, 2010. If you watched the game or seen highlights, you would have seen Favre on the receiving end of cheap, malicious hits from Saints defensive players.
Others suspended included Saints general manager Mickey Loomis and Saints assistant head coach Joe Vitt. Loomis was suspended without pay for the first eight regular-season games in the 2012 season while Vitt was suspended without pay for the first six regular-season games of the 2012 season.
In addition, the Saints were fined $500,000 and will forfeit their second-round picks in the 2012 and 2013 NFL drafts. The Saints and other individuals disciplined are also expected to participate in efforts to develop programs that will instruct on a variety of topics including:
• Respect for the game and those who participate in it
• The principles of fair play, safety and sportsmanship
• To ensure bounties will not be part of football at any level.
As you can imagine, this decision was not met well by Payton, Williams, Saints fans, and even quarterback Drew Brees. Payton was apparently stunned by the suspension. Williams was said to be remorseful and apologetic about everything. Saints fans took to ESPN and other social media websites defending the bounties by proclaiming every team does it.
But perhaps the most disappointing response was from Brees, who was "speechless" and called Payton "a great man, coach, and mentor." He further stated he needed an explaination why Payton was suspended for the entire season as opposed to just four games – something Payton and the rest of the Saints staff were preparing for due to the seriousness of the investigation.
I am not as sympathetic. And as far as I am concerned, they can all cry me a river.
Payton seemed more concerned about losing out on a $7.5 million salary than acknowledging any wrongdoing. Williams' apology was too little, too late given his history of running bounty programs in the NFL. And since Brees was so quick to defend Payton and his teammates, perhaps he would also like to defend perpetrators of domestic violence too?
Let's face it, the Saints played dirty and got away with it for three seasons, and then lied to investigators. The team and their fans exploited the Hurricane Katrina tragedy for long enough and eventually got their wish from the NFL to bring a Lombardi Trophy home to the Big Easy – tainting whatever special season they had down the drain.
Goodell has not announced punishments against any players involved. But there are between 22 and 27 players involved who will be facing steep fines and suspensions for participating in Bountygate. Given the unprecidented punishment handed down to Payton and Williams Wednesday, any player who is still in the NFL and was a part of Bountygate better have enough money saved up and consider temporary employment elsewhere. Otherwise, it's going to be a long season and eventually an unpleasant retirement from professional sports.
Who dat? Who dat? NFL just beat da Saints, dat who!
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