New Orleans Saints

More than 20 defensive players for the New Orleans Saints participated in a "bounty" system from 2009 to '11 which rewarded individuals with cash for harming opposing players, the NFL announced Friday.


The investigation revealed that the pool reached $50,000 or more during the 2009 playoffs, and players were paid $1,500 for a "knockout" and $1,000 for a "cart-off" with payouts doubling or tripling during the playoffs. Players were also paid for plays such as interceptions and fumble recoveries. Money was provided for primarily by players.

All such payments violate league rules for non-contract bonuses, the league said in a statement.

Former Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams administered the program with knowledge of other defensive coaches. The NFL says Saints coach Sean Payton was not a direct participant yet was aware of the allegations and "failed to stop the bounty program."

Williams issued an apology Friday describing his 'sincere regret.'

"It was a terrible mistake," he said, "and we knew it was wrong while we were doing it. Instead of getting caught up in it, I should have stopped it."

Before the 2009 NFC Championship Game between the Saints and Vikings, New Orleans linebacker Jonathan Vilma offered any teammate $10,000 to knock quarterback Brett Favre out of the game, according to SI.com, citing a second report to NFL owners further detailing the allegations.

CAPTION
By Derick E. Hingle, US Presswire
New Orleans won Super Bowl XLIV following the 2009 season.

The same memo says Payton's agent, Mike Ornstein, provided money for a bounty on two occasions, and that Payton's conduct represented "conduct detrimental to the league."

The findings come an at inopportune time for the NFL, which has been actively promoting player safety and is dealing with multiple concussion-related lawsuits from former players.

The investigation began in 2010 when it was alleged that quarterbacks Kurt Warner and Favre were targeted by the program.

"It's definitely disappointing, but I won't say that I'm completely surprised," Warner told KTAR in Phoenix. "And, again, not necessarily the Saints, but I'm not surprised that there were teams out there doing those kinds of things behind closed doors."

The investigation reviewed more than 50,000 pages of documents "and the use of outside forensic experts to verify the authenticity of key documents," according to the statement.

"The payments here are particularly troubling because they involved not just payments for performance, but also for injuring opposing players," Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. "It is our responsibility to protect player safety and the integrity of our game, and this type of conduct will not be tolerated."

Saints owner Tom Benson did not have prior knowledge of the program, and upon notification by the league, directed GM Mickey Loonis to discontinue the program. That direction was ignored, according to the league.

Benson issued the following statement Friday:

I have been made aware of the NFL's findings relative to the "Bounty Rule" and how it relates to our club. I have offered and the NFL has received our full cooperation in their investigation. While the findings may be troubling, we look forward to putting this behind us and winning more championships in the future for our fans.

Williams left the Saints this offseason to become defensive coordinator for the St. Louis Rams, re-joining Jeff Fisher. Williams was Fisher's defensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans from 1997 to 2000. He was Washington's defensive coordinator from 2004-07, where he implemented a similar program, according to The Washington Post.

Goodell is yet to hand out discipline for the Saints, who could face fines, suspensions and forfeiture of draft choices, "in light of the competitive nature of the violation," according to the league's statement. The Patriots own New Orleans' first-round pick in the upcoming draft. Williams could also be subject to discipline from the league.

An investigation into the Patriots video taping Jets coaches' signals in 2007 led the NFL to fine Patriots head coach Bill Belichick $500,000, the Patriots $250,000, and take away the Patriots' first-round selection in the 2008 draft.

Reaction from current and former players flooded Twitter's NFL circles as Friday's news broke.

Tweeted former NFL quarterback Boomer Esiason: "(Saints head coach) Sean Payton has a lot to answer for. This is one of the most disturbing stories I've ever heard during the 28 years of my NFL association."

Offered former NFL offensive lineman Damien Woody: "This 'bounty' program happens all around the league ... not surprising."

Said Cardinals kicker Jay Feely: "No place in NFL for bounties. Physical play is an attribute but malicious intent should be removed."

The charges against the Saints are reminiscent of the 1989 'Bounty Bowl' a regular season game after which Cowboys head coach Jimmy Johnson alleged that Eagles head coach Buddy Ryan had taken out a bounty on Cowboys kicker Luis Zendejas and quarterback Troy Aikman.