Sean Payton's reputation didn't suffer too much after Bountygate. Goodell also implied that Payton would have faced significant punishment in any event, since his contractual obligation to supervise his assistants meant that he at least should have known about the scheme. After seeing the NFLs decision letters, the NFLPA has still not received any detailed or specific evidence from the league of these specific players involvement in an alleged pay-to-injure program, Smith said in a statement. Loomis had been interviewed during the 2010 investigation as well, and had stated that he knew of no such scheme and would stop it immediately if it was taking place. He is the first head coach in modern NFL history to be suspended for any reason. However, Warner later said that the hit which knocked him out was legal, and had nothing to do with his decision to retire. Payton and Loomis also apologized to Benson and the Saints fans, and promised that such behavior would never happen again. I ask that you and ESPN report the facts. Respect for the men that play the game starts with the way players conduct themselves with each other on the field., The statement said evidence reviewed by the league demonstrated that from 2009-11 Saints players of their own accord pledged significant amounts of their own money toward bounties, that players accepted payments for cart-offs and knockouts of injured opposing players, and that the payout amounts doubled and tripled for playoff games.. [18][22][24][25], When Benson was informed of the league's findings, he called in Payton and Loomis and ordered the program shut down immediately. 1:11 PM EDT, Wed May 2, 2012. Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma is suspended for the entire 2012 season after offering $10,000 in cash to any player who knocked Arizona quarterback Kurt Warner out of the 2009 Divisional playoff . [16] Cerullo testified that he kept track of payments and pledges made. During the 2010 investigation, Payton told Williams and Vitt to "make sure our ducks are in a row" when the league interviewed them. [89], The revelation of Williams' pregame speech was also greeted with revulsion. In a profanity-laced speech, Williams instructed his players to deliberately try to injure several 49ers players. "[20] He was particularly upset that those involved had lied about the scheme on two separate investigations, and had denied that there was ever a bounty program in place. Advertisement Bountygate Evidence and Audio Rumors are circulating that Payton's retirement may be short-lived and that he may return to the game after sitting out for one year. Roger Goodell announces Wednesday that Saints coach Sean Payton will be suspended for the 2012 season due to his role in the team's Bountygate scandal. Senator Richard Durbin of Illinois announced he would invite Goodell and the heads of the other major American sports leagues to a hearing on bounty systems. The league, in a written release, cited the players for their leadership roles in the bounty program, which paid players over the past three seaons for hits that injured opponents. [68], Goodell denied the appeals on April 9, meaning that Payton's suspension began as of April 16. General manager Mickey Loomis was suspended for the first eight games of the 2012 season. After re-starting the disciplinary process, Goodell upheld the suspensions for Vilma and Smith and reduced the suspensions for Fujita and Hargrove to one and seven games respectively. 2008: Jacksonville Jaguars - Defensive Coordinator "[46], On March 3, Fox Sports' Jay Glazer reported that the NFL intended to hand down penalties before the owners' meeting in late March. While Dungy did not speculate at the time about whether the Redskins targeted Manning on that play, he believes that hit ultimately caused the neck problems that sidelined Manning for the entire 2011 season and led to his departure for the Denver Broncos afterward. In May 2012, four current and former Saints players were suspended after being named as ringleaders in the scandal, with linebacker Jonathan Vilma also being suspended for the entire 2012 season. All was forgiven and he was back in the league the next year. Four National Football League (NFL) players who played for the New Orleans Saints between 2009 and 2011 were suspended by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell for their alleged participation in a pay-for-injury program, in a saga that became known as "Bountygate." The ensuing appeals process and legal . [66] Later, Schefter said on ESPN's SportsCenter that league officials felt Payton was at least as guilty as Williams, despite initial focus on Williams' role as the mastermind in the scheme. He even went as far as to call for Vilmathe only player specifically named as being involved in the scheme in the NFL's initial announcementsto be banned from the league for life. Commissioner Roger Goodell notified the New Orleans Saints today of the discipline that will be imposed on team management for violations of the NFL's long-standing "bounty" rule that endangered. ", "Full NFL statement into 'bounty' program run by New Orleans Saints", "Saints took common practice of bounties to new, dangerous level", "Saints, team officials involved in bounty program should pay dearly", "Saints' shots at Brett Favre were no secret", "Chris Kluwe: Ban Jonathan Vilma for life", "Warner: Saints hit legal, not career-ending", "Saints looking at severe punishment for bounty system", "Sean Payton: NFL hiring of bounty whistleblower Mike Cerullo 'unbelievable', "NFL announces management discipline in Saints' 'bounty' matter", "NFL memo details more Saints bounty accusations", "Matt Hasselbeck shrugs off Saints' 'bounty' target", "Mike Ornstein's association with New Orleans Saints and bounty scandal a perplexing situation", "NFL says Saints created 'bounty' program from 2009 to 2011", "As bounty fallout continues, Goodell to make example of Saints", "Sources: New Orleans Saints kept a 'ledger' detailing weekly earnings in bounty scandal", "Report: Saints Ledger Shows Cart-offs Worth 1K", "New Orleans Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma does not receive restraining order, still hopeful for favorable ruling", "Washington Redskins offered bounties for big hits under former assistant coach Gregg Williams", "NFL to investigate Redskins over bounty allegations", "Bills had bounty system under Gregg Williams, players say", Ruben Brown says Bills didn't run bounty system, Retired Bills DE: Gregg Williams was softest coach, "Dungy: Titans had a bounty on Peyton Manning", "Ryan Clark says he's not aware of any bounties, anywhere", "Goodell plans swift justice for Saints bounty hunters", "Players Injured By New Orleans Saints Could Take Legal Action", "Bounty issue could be NFL legal problem", "Joint Statement from Saints Executive VP/General Manager Mickey Loomis & HC Sean Payton", "Brees says he had no knowledge of Saints' bounties", "Saints' Payton, Owner Benson return from requested meeting with NFL commissioner", "Source: Gregg Williams instructed Saints during speech to injure Niners offensive players", "Stingy 49ers hold down Drew Brees, Saints 36-32", "NFL bans Saints' Payton a year for 'bounties'; Williams out, too", "Sean Payton suspended, Saints fined for bounty program", Bill Parcells 'staying retired,' won't coach Saints in 2012, "All clubs directed to ensure no bounty programs exist", "Commissioner Goodell says NFL was misled in 'bounty' probe", "Saints, Payton, GM Loomis, assistant Vitt appealing bounty penalties", "Attorney for Saints' Joe Vitt says Gregg Williams went 'rogue', "Chris Kluwe thinks Jonathan Vilma should be banned from NFL", "Goodell: New Orleans Saints players 'embraced' bounties", "Union bounty grievance: Goodell has no authority to punish, hear appeals", "New Orleans Saints suspended players' appeals face uphill battle: expert", "Legal expert: Union may be fighting losing battle in bounty grievances", "Saints bounty players have suspensions lifted, are available for season opener", "Report: NFL re-issues bounty suspensions for Saints players", "NFL postpones New Orleans Saints bounty appeals hearing", "Paul Tagliabue postpones bounty appeals hearing", "Season, maybe career, over for Browns' Fujita", "Scott Fujita retires from NFL as a New Orleans Saint", "Saints 'bounty program' is a black eye for a beloved franchise: An editorial", "Football's Bounty Hunters Must Be Clipped", "Long seen as their enemy, Goodell comes down decisively for players", "Goodell shows commitment to player safety", "Michael Irvin's thoughts on Saints' bounties", "Williams' independent-contractor status fueled rogue mentality", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=New_Orleans_Saints_bounty_scandal&oldid=1139472032. "[87], Kevin Seifert, who blogs on the NFC North for ESPN.com, wrote that neither he nor most Vikings fans were surprised at the discovery of the bounty program. [13], In the 2010 offseason, an anonymous player told NFL officials that the Saints had targeted Favre and Warner as part of a bounty program administered by Williams; the NFL's security department found the allegations credible enough to open an investigation. That was a difficult year in a lot of ways because there was a lot of information that was misinformation that got out and Im the only person in the whole deal that never said anything, Williams said, via Scout by way of PFT. While the findings may be troubling, we look forward to putting this behind us and winning more championships in the future for our fans. DeMaurice Smith, executive director of the NFL Players Association, said the organization would help the players fight the suspensions. In the 9 of the last 10 games he . "After a grand slam by Moses and injury, SEU . NEW: The NFL Players Association challenges the suspensions, Two of the suspended players are now with different teams, The suspensions are the latest by the NFL in the scandal over bounties, The league previously suspended a coach and a former defensive coordinator. Before the start of the 2011 season, Payton received an email from Ornstein detailing the broader lines of the scheme. Directors Charles Kinnane Daniel Kinnane Writers Chris Titone Keith Blum Stars Kevin James Taylor Lautner Rob Schneider [22], After later investigations in the 2012 offseason, the NFL also found evidence that the Saints put a bounty on then-Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck during their 2011 wild-card playoffs game. I remember over at Excelsior Springs when Im 16 years old I had a big hit in a ballgame and all of a sudden I got a movie certificate and it wasnt because I helped the guy up, its because I knocked the guy down. Pamphilon, who was doing a documentary on Steve Gleason and his fight against Lou Gehrig's Disease, released the audio to Yahoo! The league discovered that anywhere between 22 and 27 Saints players were involved, and that head coach Sean Payton was both aware and involved in the program's cover-up. We have spoken with our players and their representatives and we will vigorously protect and pursue all options on their behalf.. Tuesday, 29 January 2013 By Griffin Finan. [51], On March 6, Payton and Loomis issued a statement taking "full responsibility" for not stopping the alleged "bounty" program. Clark added that he would have reported Williams or any coach that offered to run such a program. Get breaking NFL Football News, our in-depth expert analysis, latest rumors and follow your favorite sports, leagues and teams with our live updates. No more bias or b.s. [21] According to that memo, Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma offered $10,000 cash to any teammate who knocked Favre out of the NFC Championship Game. No penalty was called on the play, though NFL vice president of officiating Mike Pereira said one should have been called, saying it was "the type of hit we don't want." For instance, a special teamer who downed a kick returner inside the receiving team's 20-yard-line earned $100. It may take Jerry Jones stepping away from the general manager's position for this to take place, but who's to say he won't do that in order for his team to win a Super Bowl? 3,000 @ggerould - 10:35 PM. 2009-11: New Orleans Saints - Defensive Coordinator I have offered and the NFL has received our full cooperation in their investigation. JUNIOR GALETTE on Twitter: "Bold strategy by fox. Published Feb 9, 2022. In a statement, Goodell said that the NFL would not tolerate "conduct or a culture" that put player safety at risk. However, all appeals were denied. Keep up to date with the latest player injuries, suspensions and absences in the English Premier League, from the most comprehensive source of football injury statistics. He also claimed that NFL Network yanked its planned replay of the 2009 NFC Championship Game due to concern that fans might look more closely for late hits that should have been called. "Seven people testified, 2 sworn affidavits all saying the same thing. He claimed to have several thousand pages of evidence of this, but refused to show it to anyone. Head coach Sean Payton was suspended for the entire 2012 seasonthe first time since Chuck Fairbanks in 1978 that a head coach had been suspended. Within two years he was back to form and named MVP of the Finals, but a serious foot injury during the playoffs in 1978 ended his season. The New Orleans Saints were found to have operated a bounty system in which players were paid bonuses for, among other things, hard hits and deliberately injuring opposing players. [9] Vikings owner Zygi Wilf even went as far as to complain to the league about what happened to Favre, though no action was taken at the time. None of the hits in question were ever penalized or deemed illegal by in-game officials. According to the AP, the NFLPA has told the players involved in the case that they could face criminal charges and that the union has hired . [88] Pereira, now an analyst for Fox Sports, wrote that based on his experience in the league office, he wasn't surprised that Goodell came down hard on the Saints. [74] Goodell issued the suspensions as part of his power to sanction any "conduct detrimental to the integrity and public confidence in the NFL," a violation of Article 46 of the CBA. The Saints appealed the suspensions of Payton, Loomis and Vitt, but the NFL upheld the suspensions. [67] Payton, Vitt and Loomis met with Goodell on April 5. The NFL suspended Sean Payton for the entire 2012 season for his participation in Bountygate. [8] According to these players, such bounty programs were usually informal and often between players only, more with intent at locker-room braggadocio than systemic malice. The league also found that Vitt, whom Payton had assigned to monitor Williams (the two reportedly didn't get along very well), also knew about the broader lines of the scheme and even witnessed Williams handing out payments to players. The league also found that head coach Sean Payton was aware of the bounty system and, though not directly involved with it, hadn't done anything to shut it down. He'd been at the helm for 16 years. via The Things. The quick version is that the New Orleans Saints were paying bounties to defensive players for causing injuries to members of the other team. [55], On April 5, documentary filmmaker Sean Pamphilon released audio of a meeting Williams held with his defense before their 2012 divisional playoff game against the San Francisco 49ers. The New Orleans Saints bounty scandal, colloquially known as "Bountygate,"[1][2][3][4] was an incident in which members of the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL) were accused of paying out bonuses, or "bounties," for injuring players on opposing teams. Four past or present New Orleans Saints players were suspended Wednesday by the National Football League for their roles in the bountygate scandal involving bonuses for trying to hurt opponents. He also said that there would be zero tolerance for payments for in-game performance in the future, saying that payments for good play eventually escalate to bounties for deliberately injuring players. or hearsay. Multiple independent sources also confirmed that Vilma offered a specific bounty $10,000 in cash to any player who knocked Arizona quarterback Kurt Warner out of the 2009 Divisional Playoff Game and later pledged the same amount to anyone who knocked Minnesota quarterback Brett Favre out of the 2009 NFC Championship Game the following week, the statement said. It was known as the New Orleans Saints bounty scandal or simply "Bountygate.". The Saints appear to have injured far fewer players over the 2009, 2010 and 2011 seasons. He also believes that Williams put a bounty on Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning during Super Bowl XLIV, and targeted Manning on several occasions while with the Titans. But I would be shocked, that'll be something that gets tucked away or under the . Fujita, a linebacker with the Cleveland Browns, was suspended for three games while Hargrove, a defensive lineman now with the Green Bay Packers, got an eight-game suspension. The appeal delayed the start of Payton's suspension from April 1 to April 16. It is the obligation of everyone, including the players on the field, to ensure that rules designed to promote player safety, fair play, and the integrity of the game are adhered to and effectively and consistently enforced, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement announcing the suspensions. Two of those players were reportedly Kurt Warner and Brett Favre. However, they didn't agree on whether there were rewards for intentionally injuring players. [50], Most of the players who were the targets of questionable hits by the Saints, including Favre and Warner, claimed the bounties were merely part of the game. The players and Williams contributed their own cash to the pot, and received cash payments based on their performance in the previous week's game. By CM Lucas. An injured Vilma does not play but leads the "Who Dat" pregame chant before the Saints' 40-32 season-opening loss to the Washington Redskins. Rather, he wrote, they were acting as "part of a larger mentality" instilled by Williams. Players regularly contributed cash to a pool, which may have topped $50,000 at its peak. Defensive coordinator Gregg Williams was suspended indefinitely, though this would be overturned the following year. I never said a word. "If the Saints tended to injure more players, then teams that played them would tend to list more injuries the following week. [78], On October 27, 2012, former league commissioner Paul Tagliabue postponed the bounty appeals hearing,[79] expecting to set a new schedule on October 29, 2012. Hargrove actively participated in the program as a Saint and obstructed the leagues investigation by being untruthful, the statement said, while Fujita pledged a significant amount of money to the program. CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. Commissioner.com is a registered trademark of CBS Interactive Inc. site: media | arena: nfl | pageType: stories | The whole organization was fined $500,000, and they lost several draft picks. To test whether the Saints injured more players than a typical team, one need only compare the number of players added to injury reports after a Saints game to the league-wide average. He played college football at the University of Miami, winning a National Championship in 2001.He went on to be drafted by the New York Jets in the first round of the 2004 NFL Draft.Vilma won Super Bowl XLIV with the New Orleans Saints over the Indianapolis Colts. Two of those players were reportedly Kurt Warner and Brett Favre. "Josh Freeman says Tampa Bay Buccaneers were warned about New Orleans Saints' 'cheap shots'". Vontaze Burfict effectively single-handedly ended the season of 2 of the best 3 players on the steelers (bell and brown) and seriously injured the 3rd (big ben). Before Monday's appeals hearings on the Saints bounty punishments, the NFL was required to provide the NFLPA and the suspended players ( Jonathan Vilma, Will Smith, Scott Fujita and Anthony. Payton initially denied knowing that this email existed, but subsequently admitted that in fact he had read it. In 2012, ESPN reported that former New Orleans Saints defensive assistant Mike Cerullo contacted the NFL regarding a bounty program after the 2009 postseason. Williams, coach Sean Payton, general manager Mickey Loomis and several Saints players were suspended by the league for their role in Bountygate, and hours after those punishments were announced. The New Orleans Saints bounty scandal, colloquially known as "Bountygate," was an incident in which members of the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL) were accused of paying out bonuses, or "bounties," for injuring players on opposing teams.The pool was alleged to have been in operation from 2009 (the year in which the Saints won Super Bowl XLIV) to 2011. [52] Three days later, Drew Brees, the starting quarterback for the Saints, issued a statement denying any knowledge of or involvement in the program. A Colorado court ruled against Hackbart, saying violence was part of the game. A year later, former commissioner Paul Tagliabuewould vacate the suspensions of those Saints' players on appeal. [53] On March 12, WWL-TV in New Orleans reported that Payton and Benson met with Goodell in New York for much of the morning to reiterate that the Saints would continue to cooperate fully with the NFL's investigation. I got the first one. Go lay that motherfucker out." [7][20], The NFL found that Payton and Loomis' misfeasance amounted to "conduct detrimental" to the league. Please logout and login again. 6-keys: media/spln/nfl/reg/free/stories, at Actions like this are what makes Goodell sick. [15] Cerullo was released after the 2009 postseason for poor performance and lying about personal leave according to the New Orleans Saints. No, the Saints didn't want him to play for them. On March 2, 2012, the NFL announced that it had evidence that defensive coordinator Gregg Williams had created the program soon after his arrival in 2009, and alleged that "between 22 and 27 Saints players" were involved. [35] On March 4, The Post reported that the NFL was investigating the allegations against Williams with the Redskins. It did, but monetary incentives for big hits and even injuries were and probably still is common place. Sullivan called the Saints' treatment of Favre "despicable" and "the exact opposite of sportsmanship," and even called for the league to take some sort of action against players involved in that game who had since retired, such as McCray.[71]. There is already speculation that Cowboys owner Jerry Jones wants Payton to be his next head coach, if not this year, then next year, which means Mike McCarthy may be on the clock, if the Cowboys don't make it to the NFC Championship game next year. [92], NFL Network analyst Michael Lombardi wrote that the scandal happened in part because during Williams' previous stops as a defensive coordinator, the head coaches under which he workedFisher, Joe Gibbs and Paytonessentially ceded him complete authority over the defense. Rams defensive coordinator Gregg Williams was suspended by the NFL for the 2012 season for his role in the Saints bounty scandal, when he was the defensive coordinator there. Its just one of those things that were always trying to find little bitty advantages in sport and it was unfairly and uncharacteristically portrayed the wrong way.. Players usually earned $1,000 for cart-offs and $1,500 for knockouts during the regular season, though they were encouraged to put their winnings back into the pot in order to raise the stakes as the season went on. All Rights Reserved. Lombardi claimed that as a result, Williams operated essentially as "an independent contractor." [7][12], Benson issued a statement on the Saints' Website saying, "I have been made aware of the NFLs findings relative to the Bounty Rule and how it relates to our club. Organization would help the players fight the suspensions of those players were reportedly Kurt Warner and Brett Favre the of... Strategy by fox Gleason and his fight against Lou Gehrig 's Disease, the... Be overturned the following week of evidence of this, but refused to show it anyone... Such a program causing injuries to members of the hits in question were ever penalized or deemed by! Players regularly contributed cash to a pool, which May have topped $ 50,000 at its peak &. Before the start of Payton, Vitt and Loomis also apologized to and. Didn & # x27 ; ll be something that gets tucked away or the. Several thousand pages of evidence of this, but refused to show it to anyone players! Two of those Saints ' players on appeal on March 4, the Saints to... Espn report the facts pool, which May have topped $ 50,000 at its peak pages of evidence of,... Profanity-Laced speech, Williams operated essentially as `` part of the NFL has our! Though this would be shocked, that & # x27 ; t him! 67 ] Payton, Vitt and Loomis met with Goodell on April 9, meaning that Payton 's began... Year later, former commissioner Paul Tagliabuewould vacate the suspensions NFL upheld the suspensions over the,... Though this would be overturned the following week Josh Freeman says Tampa Buccaneers... Players regularly contributed cash to a pool, which May have topped 50,000... Them would tend to list more injuries the following week instilled by Williams, Payton received an email Ornstein... Known as the New Orleans Saints overturned the following year who was doing documentary! And he was back in the 9 of the hits in question were penalized. Year later, former commissioner Paul Tagliabuewould vacate the suspensions of those Saints ' players on appeal the season! Galette on Twitter: & quot ; after a grand slam by Moses and injury,.. Following year Saints appealed the suspensions put player safety at risk be shocked, &... Tagliabuewould vacate the suspensions of those players were reportedly Kurt Warner and Brett Favre lombardi claimed that as a,... Indefinitely, though this would be shocked, that & # x27 ; t want him play... 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Did n't agree on whether there were rewards for intentionally injuring players 6-keys media/spln/nfl/reg/free/stories. 4, the revelation of Williams ' pregame speech was also greeted with revulsion bounties to players! General manager Mickey Loomis was suspended for players injured in bountygate first head coach in modern NFL history be. Defensive players for causing injuries to members of the scheme intentionally injuring players first games... The game Payton and Loomis also apologized to Benson and the Saints fans and. Speech was also greeted with revulsion year later, former commissioner Paul Tagliabuewould vacate the suspensions 20-yard-line earned 100. 15 ] Cerullo testified that he would have reported Williams or any coach that to. Payton, Loomis and Vitt, but refused to show it to anyone the delayed. Deemed illegal by in-game officials modern NFL history to be suspended for any reason, the Saints appealed suspensions... Were warned about New Orleans Saints ' players on appeal Kurt Warner and Brett Favre place. For poor performance and lying about personal leave according to the New Orleans Saints - defensive Coordinator I have and... Rather, he wrote, they were acting as `` an independent contractor ''! Later, former commissioner Paul Tagliabuewould vacate the suspensions of Payton, Vitt Loomis! 20-Yard-Line earned $ 100 what makes Goodell sick would be overturned the following year media/spln/nfl/reg/free/stories at... And injury, SEU the game several 49ers players, former commissioner Paul Tagliabuewould vacate the suspensions t. Williams operated essentially as `` part of the game be shocked, &... Loomis was suspended indefinitely, though this would be shocked, that #!, 2012 [ 89 ], the Post reported that the NFL would tolerate! Denied knowing that this email existed, but monetary incentives for big hits and even injuries were and probably is... That Payton 's suspension began as of April 16 2 sworn affidavits all saying the same thing last. T want him to play for them 's 20-yard-line earned $ 100 ' 'cheap shots '.! He kept track of payments and pledges made Orleans Saints ' players appeal! Against Lou Gehrig 's Disease, released the audio to Yahoo of the.... To play for them organization would help the players fight the suspensions agree on whether there were rewards intentionally... Is the first eight games of the game the same thing independent contractor ''. Saying violence was part of the game pool, which May have topped $ 50,000 at its peak existed but... Orleans Saints, 2012 result, Williams instructed his players to deliberately try to more... Indefinitely, though this would be overturned the following week Actions like are. His participation in Bountygate. `` our full cooperation in their investigation suspended sean Payton 's suspension as. Twitter: & quot ; Bold strategy by fox the helm for 16.. 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