The NFL suspended four players for their roles in the New Orleans Saints’ bounty system, including linebacker Jonathan Vilma for the entire 2012 season.
In addition to Vilma, defensive tackle Anthony Hargrove (now with the Green Bay Packers) was suspended eight games, defensive Will Smith four games and linebacker Scott Fujita (now with the Cleveland Browns) three games.
All of the suspensions are without pay. The players are entitled to appeal the decision within three days. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell would hear their appeals.
The Saints seemingly had been bracing for the loss of Vilma, bolstering their linebacker corps through free agency. Linebackers Curtis Lofton and David Hawthorne were among the team’s signings this offseason.
A league investigation found that from 2009-11 New Orleans coaches and players put together a bounty system that paid out improper cash bonuses for hits aimed at knocking opposing players out of games. The NFL says as many as 27 Saints participated.
Goodell already has suspended Saints coach Sean Payton for the 2012 season and fined the team $500,000. Saints former defensive coordinator Gregg Williams is suspended indefinitely, New Orleans general manager Mickey Loomis begins an eight-game ban after the preseason, and interim coach Joe Vitt begins serves his six-game suspension at the same time.
Payton’s suspension began April 16 and runs through the Super Bowl, which, incidentally, is in New Orleans. During that time, Payton may not even have casual, non-football conversations with anyone on any NFL team without at least notifying the league office.
-ESPN
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