Fujita, who left the team for the Browns immediately after the Saints won Super Bowl XLIV, pledged "a significant amount of money" into the bounty program. Beckham, then with New York Giants, suffered a serious ankle injury on a low hit by Cleveland CB Briean Boddy-Calhoun. or hearsay. Cornwell contended that Williams was a "rogue coach," and the recently released audio of his meeting with the defense only proved it. Former Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, currently with the Rams, was suspended indefinitely, effective immediately. Instead, he said what some of the evidence was, and the media went to town taking his word for it. 1:11 PM EDT, Wed May 2, 2012. DeMaurice Smith, executive director of the NFL Players Association, said the organization would help the players fight the suspensions. League 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. In an editorial, New Orleans' local paper The Times-Picayune called the revelations "an embarrassment for one of the most successful and beloved sports organizations of recent years," and that they were "particularly hard to take for (Saints') fans" in light of the Saints' rebound after Hurricane Katrina. After the Saints defeated the Minnesota Vikings in the 2009 NFC Championship Game in what has become a heated rivalry, several Vikings players and coaches claimed that the Saints were deliberately trying to hurt Vikings quarterback Brett Favre. 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. Williams is most notably known for being the Defensive Coordinator in New Orleans during the BountyGate scandal, where defensive players were given cash if they successfully injured the offensive . [7] Every year, the NFL sends a memo reiterating this ban to every team before training camp opens. "Seven people testified, 2 sworn affidavits all saying the same thing. 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. Go get it. Kevin James stars in Netflix's 'Home Team', the movie inspired by Sean Payton and his "Bountygate" suspension. . [73], The NFLPA released a statement calling the suspensions unjustified, claiming that Goodell had not furnished them with any evidence supporting the sanctions. [69], The NFLPA requested that the league should hold off on any punishments for the players until it conducts its own investigation. 1990-92: Houston Oilers - Defensive Quality Control Coach On March 2, 2012, the NFL announced the findings of its investigation, saying that the players and defensive coordinator Gregg Williams pooled their money to pay out the bonuses over three seasons. However, the players and team officials interviewed all denied that any bounty program existed, and the player who made the initial report subsequently recanted his allegations.[7][14]. 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. According to the NFL's findings, Williams and players pooled their money, and awarded cash prizes to players who injured select members of the opposing team. 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. [16] Cerullo is currently director of football operations at Princeton University.[17]. "Seven people testified, 2 sworn affidavits all saying the same thing. The plotline begins in 2012, when Payton is suspended for the season by commissioner Roger Goodell for the Saints' bounty scandal, which gives Payton the chance to re-assess his life and put it in . In some cases, particular players on the opposing team were targeted, the NFL said. "[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. 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. However, Warner later said that the hit which knocked him out was legal, and had nothing to do with his decision to retire. 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. In football, a player is running the risk of being injured regardless of any bounty scheme in effect. "[46], On March 3, Fox Sports' Jay Glazer reported that the NFL intended to hand down penalties before the owners' meeting in late March. 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. 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. [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. 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. 2008: Jacksonville Jaguars - Defensive Coordinator Williams was the Browns' defensive coordinator at that time. When the game clock hit 00:00 last night in Broncos' victory over the Jets, head coach Vic Fangio sprinted across the field yelling at players to head "right to the f***ing locker room . [16] Cerullo testified that he kept track of payments and pledges made. Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Devin White said that Bucs players bet on which player will have the biggest game, which reminded Saints fans of BountyGate. The NFL's retort is that with all due deference, you don't get to second guess (Goodell). However, they did not do so. From Playmakers, a look at how close Sean Payton came to becoming the Cowboys coach in 2019 -- and how Anthony Davis (yes, Anthony Davis) kept it from happening. The NFL said payoffs went to 22 to 27 defensive players for inflicting game-ending injuries on targeted opponents, including quarterbacks Brett Favre and Kurt Warner. No more bias or b.s. [50] Louisiana State University law professor William Corbett told Fox Sports that any legal action by players has a chance of succeeding. So common that several Vikings players from the 08 team admitted to having a pool to injure Nick Barnett in retaliation for him injuring Adrian Peterson. 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). Since the NFL unveiled its findings, Williams has been accused of running similar bounty programs during his coaching stints with the Titans, Redskins and Bills. RT @JuniorGalette93: Bold strategy by fox. [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. 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. 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 . [19] Later that day, the NFL announced it had obtained irrefutable proof of a bounty pool dating back to the 2009 season, based on a review of 18,000 documents. We can joke about the recruiting-Ohtani part of Suzuki not being on Team Japan anymore, but in all seriousness, I just thought it was gonna be cool to watch Seiya playing on such a loaded team. "I don't think you can be too hard on people that put at risk our players' health and safety," Goodell told Eisen. Given the circumstances, King said, Goodell had a lot of incentive to "issue a string of suspensions the likes of which the league has never seen. 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. [68], Goodell denied the appeals on April 9, meaning that Payton's suspension began as of April 16. Weeks ago, after the NFL first released its Bountygate findings, there was a rumor floating around the sport that Jeremy Shockey, former tight end for the Saints, was the source for the NFL. 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. The numbers are striking."[94]. Rather, he wrote, they were acting as "part of a larger mentality" instilled by Williams. [56][57] However, the Saints were not penalized for illegal hits during that game, which they lost 3632. This legendary status is probably why a team like the Dallas Cowboys would love to hire him sooner rather than later. "I. I have learned a hard lesson and I guarantee that I will never participate in or allow this kind of activity to happen again.. [54] On March 22, U.S. The New Orleans Saints bounty scandal, better known as "Bountygate" was a major incident in the NFL that resulted in members of the team being paid off for deliberately injuring opposing team . 1993: Houston Oilers - Special Teams Coach [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. He'd been at the helm for 16 years. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has reduced the bounty-related suspensions of two New Orleans Saints players while upholding the punishments of two others. [36], Several former Bills players subsequently told The Buffalo News of a similar system during Williams' tenure as Bills' head coach from 2001 to 2003. However, Woodson felt that several parts of Williams' speechparticularly his calls to go after Crabtree's ACL and target Williams specifically because he had concussions in the pastwent too far. Smith, a captain of the defensive unit, helped Williams with the program and pledged money for it, according to the statement. Did you encounter any technical issues? ESPN NFL analyst and former Dallas Cowboys safety Darren Woodson said that much of Williams' speech was standard pregame rhetoric. Clubs will also be required to certify that no bounty systems exist as part of the yearly certifications they must make under the league's Integrity of the Game Policy.[64]. We have made it clear that punishment without evidence is not fair. Saints GM Mickey Loomis had been ordered by owner Tom Benson to shut down the program, but failed to do so. A Colorado court ruled against Hackbart, saying violence was part of the game. Also Checkout: Kurt Warner super bowl wins, Be the first one to comment on this story. The league announced that Scott Fujita, Anthony Hargrove, Will Smith and Jonathan Vilma were suspended without pay for varying lengths of time. 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. [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]. [93], 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. I got the first one. The program involved as many as 27 players and at least one assistant coach, the league concluded after an investigation. 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. Everybody got out there and pushed their information one way or the other and I didnt. 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. He recalled that Goodell was always upset when officials didn't penalize hits on defenseless players. [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. It revealed that the Saints had not only targeted Warner and Favre during the 2009 playoffs, but had also targeted Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton during the 2011 regular season. 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. Had the suspensions of Vilma and Hargrove been upheld, they would have been the longest for an on-field incident in modern NFL history, topping the previous record set in 2006, when then-Titans defensive end Albert Haynesworth was given a five-game suspension for stomping on the head of Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman Andre Gurode. [12] Goodell said in a statement that he found it "particularly disturbing" that the Saints were deliberately trying to injure other players. 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. [77] Two days after the fifth game of the season, on October 9, 2012, the league re-issued the suspensions without any changes or reductions; the players' appeals continued. Speaking of significant injuries, Joe Musgrove dropped a weight on his left big toe, causing a fracture. According to Wikipedia, members of the New Orleans Saints "were accused of paying out bonuses or bounties for injuring opposing team players." [70] His sentiments were echoed a day later by Vikings center John Sullivan, who told KFXN-FM in the Twin Cities that any Saint who deliberately tried to hurt Favre in that game should get a lifetime ban. What would draw attention to the Saints' bounty program was the alleged practice of methodically organizing such a concept at the coaches' level, with the primary intent to systematically and routinely injure opposing star players. The Rams were driving inside. It is commonly known as the New Orleans Saints bounty scandal. Discovery Company. Roger Goodell claimed the Saints had a system from 2009-2011 where they would pay to specifically injure other players. [72], Earlier, Goodell had indicated that he was going to come down hard on the players involved, telling Eisen that they "enthusiastically embraced" the scheme. Cerullo also states in the article, "I was angry for being let go from the Saints". 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. Defensive coordinator Gregg Williams was suspended indefinitely, though this would be overturned the following year. 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 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. 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]. 2004-07: Washington Redskins - Defensive Coordinator In addition, the Saints franchise was fined $500,000 and docked second-round picks in the 2012 and 2013 drafts. [11], Favre's agent, Bus Cook, later said that he also felt the Saints were deliberately trying to knock Favre out of the game, and claimed that several hits on Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner in the divisional round a week earlier crossed the line as well. 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. 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). 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. [7] Williams and the players pooled their own money to pay out performance bonuses. Audio of Williams' meeting with Saints defense, Last edited on 15 February 2023, at 09:07, 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? By players has a chance of succeeding to hire him sooner rather than later Checkout: Kurt super... Safety Darren Woodson said that much of Williams ' speech was standard pregame rhetoric [ 50 ] Louisiana State law., which they lost 3632 State University law professor William Corbett told Fox Sports that any legal by. Nfl 's retort is that with all due deference, you do n't to... Would love to hire him sooner rather than later as the New Orleans Saints bounty.. Word for it, according to the statement bounty-related suspensions of two others due! The game significant injuries, Joe Musgrove dropped a weight on his left big toe causing... Coordinator Williams was suspended indefinitely, effective immediately operations at Princeton University. [ 17 ] Williams and media. A system from 2009-2011 where they would pay to specifically injure other players was upset. Goodell denied the appeals on April 9, meaning that Payton 's suspension began as April! Then with New York Giants, suffered a serious ankle injury on a low hit by Cleveland CB Briean.... 1:11 PM EDT, Wed May 2, 2012 the article, `` was! Not fair standard pregame rhetoric many as 27 players and at least one assistant,. A team like the Dallas Cowboys safety Darren Woodson said that much Williams! The following players injured in bountygate said what some of the defensive unit, helped Williams with the and. Illegal hits during that game, which they lost 3632, 2012 was, and the media went town. Professor William Corbett told Fox Sports that any legal action by players has a chance of succeeding ban to team! With New York Giants, suffered a serious ankle injury on a hit... Not penalized for illegal hits during that game, which they lost 3632 a of... On April 9, meaning that Payton 's suspension began as of April 16 the organization would help players! One to comment on this story involved as many as 27 players and at least assistant! Director of the game former Saints defensive coordinator at that time to specifically injure other players at one! Hargrove, Will Smith and Jonathan Vilma were suspended without pay for lengths. Cerullo testified that he kept track of payments and pledges made of payments players injured in bountygate made! ] Louisiana State University law professor William Corbett told Fox Sports that any legal action by players has chance... Of football operations at Princeton University. [ 17 ] `` [ 94 ] beckham, then with York. Be overturned the following year 7 ] Every year, the Saints were not penalized for illegal hits during game. Program, but failed to do so being injured regardless of any bounty scheme effect... Ruled against Hackbart, saying violence was part of the game first one to comment on story... To pay out performance bonuses NFL 's retort is that with all due deference, you do get! Bounty scheme in effect. [ 17 ] to comment on this story [ ]. States in the article, `` I was angry for being let from. 9, meaning that Payton 's suspension began as of April 16, Wed May 2, 2012 professor Corbett. Scheme in effect illegal hits during that game, which they lost 3632 ankle on! Has reduced the bounty-related suspensions of two New Orleans Saints bounty scandal, Will Smith and Jonathan were... Jacksonville Jaguars - defensive coordinator at that time suspended without pay for varying lengths of.! Second guess ( Goodell ) 'd been at the helm for 16 years other players that with due! The media went to town taking his word for it, according to statement! As of April 16 `` I was angry for being let go from the Saints not... Two others league concluded after an investigation specifically injure other players denied the appeals on 9. Rather, he wrote, they were acting as `` part of larger... State University law professor William Corbett told Fox Sports that any legal action by players has a of. I was angry for being let go from the Saints were not for., was suspended indefinitely, effective immediately he 'd been at the helm for 16 years pledged money for,... That with all due deference, you do n't get to second guess ( Goodell ) to specifically injure players. He 'd been at the helm for 16 years speaking of significant injuries, Joe Musgrove a. Cerullo is currently director of the defensive unit, helped Williams with players injured in bountygate program involved many! Sends a memo reiterating this ban to Every team before training camp opens they would pay to injure... Numbers are striking. `` [ 94 ] any legal action by players has a chance of succeeding ] year... To specifically injure other players coordinator at that time State University law professor William Corbett told Sports. Coordinator Williams was the Browns & # x27 ; defensive coordinator Gregg Williams currently! Money for it, was suspended indefinitely, effective immediately failed to do so scheme... Beckham, then with New York Giants, suffered a serious ankle injury on a low hit Cleveland! Has a chance of succeeding town taking his word for it University. 17. Former Dallas Cowboys safety Darren Woodson said that much of Williams ' speech was standard pregame rhetoric Goodell the! Is commonly known as the New Orleans Saints bounty scandal injure other.... The Saints had a system from 2009-2011 where they would pay to specifically other... Shut down the program involved as many as 27 players and at least one assistant coach, the were. A chance of succeeding a larger mentality '' instilled by Williams `` I angry. Had been ordered by owner Tom Benson to shut down the program and pledged money for it according. Operations at Princeton University. [ 17 ] two New Orleans Saints bounty scandal has a of... April 16 reiterating this ban to Every team before training camp opens to the.! Of April 16 super bowl wins, Be the first one to comment this... Goodell was always upset when officials did n't penalize hits on defenseless players at that time the numbers striking... Out performance bonuses are striking. `` [ 94 ] that with all due deference, do... 17 ] in football, a captain of the evidence was, and the players the. To specifically injure other players [ 16 ] Cerullo testified that he kept track payments. Performance bonuses 94 ] indefinitely, effective immediately after an investigation went to town taking his word for,! Pm EDT, Wed May 2, 2012 the statement and Jonathan Vilma were suspended without pay for varying of. Smith, a player is running the risk of being injured regardless of any bounty scheme in effect the would. Reiterating this ban to Every team before training camp opens the Browns #. Down the program, but failed to do so, executive players injured in bountygate of the NFL players Association, said organization. Against Hackbart, saying violence was part of the defensive unit, helped Williams with the,! And Jonathan Vilma were suspended without pay for varying lengths of time Every year, the NFL said larger ''! At Princeton University. [ 17 ] was the Browns & # x27 ; defensive coordinator Gregg Williams currently! Saints bounty scandal for illegal hits during that game, which they lost 3632 evidence was, and players. To the statement meaning that Payton 's suspension began as of April 16 analyst former... Failed to do so Saints bounty scandal [ 94 ] least one assistant coach, the Saints '' 27 and... Was suspended indefinitely, though this would Be overturned the following year a system from where! [ 17 ] then with New York Giants, suffered a serious ankle injury on a hit... Penalized for illegal hits during that game, which they lost 3632 though would! Goodell denied the appeals on April 9, meaning that Payton 's suspension began as April. A captain of the game his left big toe, causing a fracture Benson shut. At least one assistant coach, the league announced that Scott Fujita, Anthony Hargrove, Will Smith Jonathan... Shut down the program involved as many as 27 players and at least one assistant coach, the said..., which they lost 3632 officials did n't penalize hits on defenseless players Giants! Ruled against Hackbart, saying violence was part of a larger mentality '' instilled by Williams it is commonly as! The Saints had a system from 2009-2011 where they would pay to specifically injure players! From the Saints '' clear that punishment without evidence is not fair Payton! Being let go from the Saints '' word for it, according to the statement [ 7 ] and... A weight on his left big toe, causing a fracture NFL.! Dropped a weight on his left big toe, causing a fracture assistant coach, the NFL said announced Scott. Pregame rhetoric out performance bonuses sooner rather than later against Hackbart, saying violence was part of larger! Suspended indefinitely, though this would Be overturned the following year demaurice Smith, a player is running risk... Get to second guess ( Goodell ) system from 2009-2011 where they would to. Way or the other and I didnt ] Williams and the players fight the suspensions and the went. 27 players and at least one assistant coach, the NFL sends a memo this! Cb Briean Boddy-Calhoun the players fight the suspensions pledged money for it that Goodell was always when... The league concluded after an investigation of the NFL 's retort is that with all due deference, you n't! Be overturned the following year, Wed May 2, 2012 and at least assistant...