saints bountygate hits

[35], Pittsburgh Steelers safety Ryan Clark, who played under Williams in Washington from 20042005 and himself was fined by the NFL $40,000 for a helmet-to-helmet hit against Baltimore Ravens tight end Ed Dickson during the just-concluded season,[36] defended Williams, saying that he never ran a bounty program with the Redskins and has yet to see one during his time in the NFL. [83] On December 11, with three games left in the regular season, Tagliabue vacated the players' suspensions, saying in his ruling, "I affirm Commissioner Goodell's factual findings as to the four players. He recalled that Goodell was always upset when officials didn't penalize hits on defenseless players. [45], Former safety Ryan Clark, who played under Williams in Washington from 20042005 and himself was fined by the NFL $40,000 for a helmet-to-helmet hit against Baltimore Ravens tight end Ed Dickson during the 2011 season,[46] defended Williams, saying that he never ran a bounty program with the Redskins and has yet to see one during his time in the NFL. It's not life or death. [14] Another source told CBSSports.com's Mike Freeman that Reggie Bush's agent at the time, Michael Ornstein, was closely involved in the scheme from the beginning, having pledged $10,000 to the pot in 2009 in addition to an undisclosed amount in 2011. [13] Another source told CBSSports.com's Mike Freeman that Reggie Bush's agent at the time, Michael Ornstein, was closely involved in the scheme from the beginning. 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. [5] However, former commissioner Paul Tagliabue overturned all sanctions against the players in December 2012 after finding that despite the players being "very much involved," the coaches and the Saints organization were primarily responsible for the scandal.[6]. "[72], 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. However, linebacker Eddie Robinson, who played for Williams in Houston and Tennessee as well as in Buffalo, acknowledged an incentive pool but said he never heard Williams favor deliberately injuring other players. However, Vitt failed to tell anyone about it. While the findings may be troubling, we look forward to putting this behind us and winning more championships in the future for our fans. No one will ever forget it, especially in Louisiana. He also believed that Goodell was going to use the scandal to "end the practice of bounty football forever," much like the penalties imposed against the Patriots after "Spygate" effectively ended the longstanding practice of illicit videotaping. What's more is that it revealed Saints head coach Sean Payton not only knew about the plot but also tried to cover it up once the NFL began investigating. The NFLPA released a statement calling the suspensions unjustified, claiming that Goodell had not furnished them with any evidence supporting the sanctions. [5] The union lodged a formal grievance on May 4, contending that since the suspensions were for on-field misconduct, the players' appeals should be heard by Ted Cottrell and Art Shell, whom the collective bargaining agreement designates as the hearing officers for on-field sanctions. [37] The Steelers released a statement on their official web site mentioning that the team does not condone any sort of bounty program. The Saints went on to win the Super Bowl that year, but trouble soon followed. Coy Wire, a safety during Williams' tenure, said that Williams gave bonuses for hits that left opponents seriously injured, and two other players said that bonuses were also awarded for "knockouts." [9], Speculation quickly abounded about how severely Goodell, who has made player safety and the overall integrity of the game a point of emphasis during his six years as commissioner, would punish Williams and the Saints. [14] The investigation continued during the 201112 playoffs and continued through the 2012 offseason. [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. )[89] Seau's sentiments were echoed by Hall of Fame quarterback Fran Tarkenton. According to Woodson, when Williams called for his men to "attack the head" of running back Frank Gore, he was saying that the 49ers' offense would be rendered ineffective if they managed to shut Gore down. He also said that he discussed the issue with several players from his era, and they unanimously agreed that players who put bounties on opponents were "cowards. In his weekly "Monday Morning Quarterback" column on March 5, SI's Peter King wrote that he believed Williams faced at least an eight-game suspension, and that Payton and Loomis would almost certainly be suspended as well. And from 2009-2011, the Saints were near the bottom of the league in personal fouls and . The league constitution specifically forbids payment of bonuses based on performances against an individual player or team, as well as bonuses for on-field misconduct; the NFL holds that such practices undermine the integrity of the game, and also would allow teams to use such payments to circumvent the salary cap. Assistant head coach Joe Vitt was suspended for the first six games of the 2012 season. The numbers are striking. [18] The investigation continued during the 201112 playoffs and continued through the 2012 offseason. Legal Statement. [51], On March 21, 2012, the NFL issued sanctions to Saints coaches and front-office personnel for their roles in the scandal. Lombardi claimed that as a result, Williams operated essentially as "an independent contractor." [44] However, several former players interviewed by Sports Illustrated said that while payments for good hits and sacks were indeed considered part of the game, bounties for intentionally injuring opponents violated an unwritten code. During the 2010 investigation, Payton told Williams and Vitt to "make sure our ducks are in a row" when the league interviewed them. . In an interview with NFL Network's Rich Eisen, Goodell said that the threat to player safety, as well as the fact the Saints lied about it, demanded significant punishment. It also contended that since the alleged conduct took place before the most recent CBA was signed in August, Goodell should have deferred to NFL special master Stephen Burbank in ruling on the players' actions. [42][43] Chidi Ahanotu, who played one year under Williams in Buffalo, indicated that such a program was not within his character at the time and that Williams was "the softest coach I've been around. He also told at least one other player that the Saints had put a bounty on Favre in the 2009 NFC title game. In April he announced that . 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. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell responded with some of the most severe sanctions in the league's 92-year history, and among the most severe punishments for in-game misconduct in North American professional sports history. The rest are pretty much clean, maybe some iffy could of been roughing but that's the refs . Williams has claimed that bounties have long been part of the NFL, but one still has to wonder why Goodell didn't make more of an example of Williams so youth, high school and college players don't get any ideas. "If the Saints tended to injure more players, then teams that played them would tend to list more injuries the following week. [6], The NFL has long frowned upon bounties, or "non-contract bonuses" as it officially calls them. As a Saints fan, this is my perspective on "Bountygate". [87] ESPN columnist Gregg Easterbrook claimed that the Saints' behavior threatened the very integrity of the sport since high school and youth players have long emulated what they see in the NFL. 1993: Houston Oilers - Special Teams Coach Though, there's no evidence to support the latter. "I don't think you can be too hard on people that put at risk our players' health and safety," Goodell told Eisen. [47], On March 22, U.S. Sean Payton, who was suspended for the 2012 season in wake of the 'Bountygate' scandal, on James Harrison's story of Mike Tomlin handing him an envelope after a big hit: "That'll be something . Clark added that he would've reported Williams or any coach that would offer to run such a program. [71] Seau's sentiments were echoed by Hall of Fame quarterback Fran Tarkenton. [27] Chicago Tribune NFL analyst Matt Bowen, who played for the Redskins at the time, later wrote in one of his regular columns that the bounty pool was funded by fines for mistakes made during practice and in games, and insisted similar systems operated on other teams. Doyel also said that while many players had chafed at what they saw as Goodell's heavy-handed approach to discipline, he was actually standing up for their safety in the Saints' case. Payouts could range from as little as $100 for pinning a kick returner inside the 20-yard line to $1,000, $1,500 or $2,000 for knocking a player out of a regular season game and as much as $10,000 for knocking one out of a playoff game. It also asserted that head coach Sean Payton tried to cover up the scheme, and that he and general manager Mickey Loomis failed to shut it down when ordered to do so by team owner Tom Benson. In an op-ed for The Wall Street Journal, Tarkenton wrote that he played against the likes of Mean Joe Greene, Ray Nitschke and Dick Butkus, and none of them even considered deliberately trying to hurt him. Audio of Williams' meeting with Saints defense, 2007 National Football League videotaping controversy, "NFL needs to start cleaning up 'BountyGate' by going after Sean Payton and Gregg Williams for role in Saints' bounty system", "Did Rex's former team put out bounties? However, depending on the Saints' cooperation and that of the individuals involved, Goodell could restore the Saints' second-round pick in 2013 (though the Saints would still lose a lower-round pick), as well as reduce the fine on the Saints and restore Payton, Vitt and Loomis' lost pay. (12 hits, a .375 batting average and no errors), he admitted to agreeing to the fix . Players also received "bounties" for "cart-offs" (plays in which an opponent was removed from the field on a stretcher or cart) and "knockouts" (plays that resulted in a player being unable to return for the rest of the game). The Vikings were particularly angered when Saints defensive end Bobby McCray and defensive tackle Remi Ayodele knocked Favre to the ground with a high-low hit. Freeman's sources also said that Payton's sanctions were likely to dwarf those handed down to the New England Patriots' Bill Belichick in the wake of the 2007 "Spygate" affair. We need to find that out. [40] Ruben Brown, a guard for the Bills during Williams's time as coach there, denied there was any sort of bounty system in place in Buffalo,[41] a position reiterated by linebacker London Fletcher and then-general manager Tom Donahoe. pic.twitter.com/xti6ngR0Me, This Day In Sports Clips (@TDISportsClips) January 24, 2021. The biggest scandals in sports history are those that change their respective sports forever. Hargrove lied to league officials during the 2010 investigation, but later signed a letter to the NFL admitting that he was an active participant in the scheme. Preparations for Saints games included warnings to offensive players to keep their knees protected, especially on plays near the sidelines. [37] Chicago Tribune NFL analyst Matt Bowen, who played for the Redskins at the time, later wrote in one of his regular columns that the bounty pool was funded by fines for mistakes made during practice and in games, and insisted similar systems operated on other teams. Cornwell contended that Williams was a "rogue coach," and the recently released audio of his meeting with the defense only proved it. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. After that meeting, Vitt's lawyer, David Cornwell, said that Payton and Loomis met with Williams before the divisional playoff game and ordered him to shut down the bounty program immediately. The NFLPA called the suspension unjustified and claimed Goodell hadn't provided enough evidence to support the sanctions. Three years removed from their Super Bowl year, the Saints hit the depthsBountygate, suspensions and, in the end, the NFL's all-time worst defense. 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. [41], CBSSports.com's Pat Kirwan tweeted that within hours of the NFL releasing his report, lawyers for several players were already telling him that their clients were considering legal action against the Saints and Williams. [68] However, a league source told CBSSports.com's Judge that it also gives Goodell the power to rule on in-game conduct if he feels that it runs counter to the integrity of the game.[69]. He also said that unless the leagues themselves "come up with standards to make sure this isn't going to happen again," he may consider drafting legislation that would extend federal sports bribery laws to cover bounties. [43] Louisiana State University law professor William Corbett told Fox Sports that any legal action by players has a chance of succeeding. 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. [18] Freeman wrote that his sources in the league office had told him that the players, Williams, Payton and Loomis would all face suspensions of at least six games, as well as heavy fines. "[44], Former NFL coach Tony Dungy later told Profootballtalk.com he was certain that Williams operated a similar bounty system while he was defensive coordinator of the Oilers/Titans from 1997 to 2000. [38], Williams, who left after the season to become defensive coordinator of the St. Louis Rams, was summoned to NFL headquarters after the investigation concluded in mid-February. I ask that you and ESPN report the facts. [7], After the sanctions were announced, CBSSports.com's Gregg Doyel wrote that the severity of the punishments handed down to Williams, Payton and Loomis proved that Goodell was truly sincere in his desire to "take the thuggishness out of the NFL." Coy Wire, a safety during Williams' tenure, said that Williams gave bonuses for hits that left opponents seriously injured, and two other players said that bonuses were also awarded for "knockouts." [55] Three days later, Drew Brees, the starting quarterback for the Saints, issued a statement denying any knowledge of or involvement in the program. 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. [18][14][19][20], When Benson was informed of the league's findings, he called in Payton and Loomis and ordered the program shut down immediately. However, Warner later said that the hit which knocked him out was legal, and had nothing to do with his decision to retire. The New Orleans Saints, from 2009-11, did no such thing. [58], 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. 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. He cited a 1977 case in which Denver Broncos defensive back Dale Hackbart sued the Cincinnati Bengals for a late hit to the back by running back Boobie Clark that fractured three vertebrae four years earlier and ended his career. His status will be reevaluated by commissioner Roger Goodell following the 2012 season. He also said that the fact that the scheme went on for three years demanded that "a strong and lasting message must be sent that such conduct is totally unacceptable and has no place in the game. Williams' profanity-laden speech was disgusting, disturbing and borderline sociopathic. 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. No more bias or b.s. [96], Despite the media outcry, an independent study speculated that Saints' players may have pretended to participate off the field but not put the tactics into action on the field. All rights reserved. Judges only have limited jurisdiction over arbitration issues. Pamphilon, who was doing a documentary on the media's effect on football from pee wee all the way to the NFL, released the audio to Yahoo! [48], Williams, who left after the season to become defensive coordinator of the St. Louis Rams, was summoned to NFL headquarters after the investigation concluded in mid-February. According to Woodson, when Williams called for his men to "attack the head" of running back Frank Gore, he was saying that the 49ers' offense would be rendered ineffective if they managed to shut Gore down. Did the New Orleans Saints injure more players? Gregg Williams, From the Vault: Bountygate https://t.co/ZaeTELxc8D pic.twitter.com/S2qxe42ccO, Sports Illustrated (@SInow) October 29, 2018. Clark added that he would have reported Williams or any coach that offered to run such a program. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has reduced the bounty-related suspensions of two New Orleans Saints players while upholding the punishments of two others. "You have to be accountable and responsible in the NFL," Goodell said. The only difference in Seifert's mind was that he no longer believed the Saints were out of control. However, depending on the Saints' cooperation and that of the individuals involved, Goodell could restore the Saints' second-round pick in 2013 (though the Saints would still lose a lower-round pick), as well as reduce the fine on the Saints and restore Payton, Vitt and Loomis' lost pay. [7] League officials, convinced that this information was irrefutable evidence a program was indeed in place, alerted Benson of their findings just before the Saints' first-round playoff game against the Detroit Lions. Later, CBSSports.com NFL columnist Clark Judge said several Vikings assistants told him they believed McCray was acting on direct orders from Williams, with at least one being so outraged that he threatened to "punch [Williams] in the face" the next time they met. The New Orleans Saints bounty scandal, widely dubbed Bountygate,[1][2][3][4] was an incident in which several defensive players on the National Football League's New Orleans Saints were found to have operated a slush fund that paid out bonuses, or "bounties", for in-game performance in violation of NFL rules.

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