NFL Hands Out Penalites to New Orleans Saints for Bounty System
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Chris Graythen/Getty Images(NEW YORK) — The NFL has come down hard on the New Orleans Saints franchise in their role in a bounty system that financially compensated players for big hits or knocking players out of the game.
The League has suspended head coach Sean Payton for one year without pay. Former defensive coordinator Gregg Williams was suspended indefinitely while general manager Mickey Loomis was suspended for the first eight regular season games without pay and assistant coach Joe Vitt was suspended six games and fined $100,000. The team as a whole was fined $500,000, and the Saints lose two second-round draft picks (one in 2012 and one in 2013).
There still may be more suspensions coming, as punishment for any Saints players involved in the bounty system will be determined at a later time because the NFL is still reviewing the case with the NFL Players Association. The NFL has said that payoffs went to 22 to 27 defensive players for inflicting injuries on opposing offensive players. “Knockouts” were worth $1,500 while “cart-offs” were worth $1,000. Financial compensation was doubled and even tripled in the post-season.
“A combination of elements made this matter particularly unusual and egregious,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. “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.”
Payouts for specific performances in a game including sacks, fumbles, and interceptions are all against NFL rules. The NFL repeatedly warns teams about this prior to every season.
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