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sean payton
Sean Payton suspended, Saints fined for bounty
program
New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton has been suspended for one year, the
team will lose its second round pick in 2012 and '13 and pay $500,000 as a result
of the NFL's bounty investigation, the league announced Wednesday.
Former defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, who orchestrated the program, has
been suspended from the NFL indefinitely. Saints general manager Mickey
Loomis faces an eight-game suspension. Saints assistant head coach Joe Vitt is
also suspended without pay for the first six games of the 2012 season.
"The game doesn't need to be played this way," NFL commissioner Roger
Goodell said on NFL Network. "We think that while it is a strong message, its an
important one to send -- that we need to protect our players."
The NFL revealed in early March an investigation which found more than 20
defensive players for the Saints participated in a 'bounty' system from 2009 to '11
which rewarded individuals with cash for harming opposing players.
"We are all accountable and responsible for player health and safety and the
integrity of the game," Goodell said Wednesday. "We will not tolerate conduct or a
culture that undermines those priorities. No one is above the game or the rules that
govern it. Respect for the game and the people who participate in it will not be
compromised."
The league found that the cash pool reached $50,000 or more during the 2009
playoffs, and players were paid $1,500 for a "knockout" and $1,000 for a "cart-off"
with payouts doubling or tripling during the playoffs. Money was provided
primarily by players.
All such payments violate league rules for non-contract bonuses.
Williams administered the program, and the NFL says Payton was not a direct
participant, yet was aware of the allegations and "failed to stop the bounty
program."
"A combination of elements made this matter particularly unusual and egregious,"
Goodell continued. "When there is targeting of players for injury and cash rewards
over a three-year period, the involvement of the coaching staff, and three years of
denials and willful disrespect of the rules, a strong and lasting message must be
sent that such conduct is totally unacceptable and has no place in the game."
CAPTION
By Derick E. Hingle, US Presswire
The Saints issued a statement Wednesday taking "full responsibility" for the
infractions.
"It has always been the goal of the New Orleans Saints to create a model franchise
and to impact our league in a positive manner," the statement read. "There is no
place for bounties in our league and we reiterate our pledge that this will never
happen again."
Saints QB Drew Brees said Wednesday he was "speechless" upon learning the
extent of the punishment, calling Payton a "great man, coach and mentor." Payton
and Loomis took "full responsibility" for the violations in a joint statement issued
days after the findings, and later met with Goodell in New York to discuss the
issue.
MORE: Brees shocked by ruling
The pair apologized for the "unique hardship" on team owner Tom Benson,
recognized the severity of the violations, and promised that they "will never
happen again."
Williams, who left the Saints this offseason to become defensive coordinator for
the St. Louis Rams, apologized for his program, which he reportedly also
implemented in several other NFL cities. Commissioner Goodell will review
Williams' status at the conclusion of the 2012 season and consider whether to
reinstate him.
MORE: Williams sorry; Rams move on
"I'd like to again apologize wholeheartedly to the NFL, (Rams) Coach (Jeff)
Fisher, the entire Rams organization and all football fans for my actions," Williams
said Wednesday. "I will do everything possible to re-earn the respect of my
colleagues, the NFL and its players in hopes of returning to coaching in the
future."
Once a coach in Jacksonville, Houston/Tennessee, Buffalo and Washington,
Williams was reported to have instituted similar programs in other cities, though
the NFL did not find enough evidence to punish those teams Wednesday.
MORE: Other teams safe for now
Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma became the player face of the program
following an SI.com report describing his $10,000 offer to any player who could
knock Brett Favre out of the 2009 NFC Championship Game.As late as
Wednesday afternoon, Vilma's twitter avatar was the Sports Illustrated magazine
cover picturing Vilma and the headline 'BOUNTY CULTURE.'
The league did not hand down punishment for any players involved on
Wednesday, but plans to do so soon.
"That's something we're going to continue to pursue. That's next up," said Goodell.