March
Saints had Bounty on Packers QB Aaron Rodgers
Packers QB Aaron Rodgers throws a pass against the New Orleans Saints in last season's opening game.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell came down hard on the New Orleans Saints for paying bounties on opposing players. The punishment:
- Indefinite suspension of former defensive coordinator Gregg Williams
- One-year suspension of coach Sean Payton
- Eight-game suspension of general manager Mickey Loomis
- Six-game suspension of assistant-head coach Joe Vitt
- A $500,000 franchise fine
- Forfeiture of second-round draft picks in 2012 and 2013
- Future discipline of individual players to be determined
The NFL also confirmed that the Saints had a bounty on Vikings QB Brett Favre in the NFC championship game and on Packers QB Aaron Rodgers in the 2011 season opener.
Here’s more on the Rodgers’ bounty:
“Further, prior to the Saints’ opening game in 2011, Coach Payton received an email from a close associate that stated in part, “PS Greg Williams put me down for $5000 on Rogers (sic).” When shown the email during the course of the investigation, Coach Payton stated that it referred to a “bounty” on Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers.”
Thanks to the Saints being docked a second-round pick, the Packers will move up one spot in the second round of this year’s draft, jumping from 60th overall to pick No. 59.
