4 Saints suspended without pay for involvement in bounty program

New Orleans Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma was suspended without pay for the entire 2012 season by the NFL, one of four players punished today for participating in the team’s cash-for-hits bounty system. Defensive lineman Anthony Hargrove, now with the Green Bay Packers, was suspended for the first half of the 16-game season; Saints defensive end Will Smith was barred for the opening four games; and linebacker Scott Fujita, now with the Cleveland Browns, will miss the first three games. Like Vilma, they were suspended without pay. All four players have three days to appeal NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell’s ruling, and the head of the NFL Players Association says the union will fight the penalties. Fujita is a member of the NFLPA’s executive committee. The league’s statement says Vilma, Hargrove, Smith and Fujita were suspended because of “conduct detrimental to the NFL as a result of their leadership roles” with the bounties. “After seeing the NFL’s decision letters, the NFLPA has still not received any detailed or specific evidence from the league of these specific players’ involvement in an alleged pay-to-injure program,” reads a statement from the NFLPA. Fujita, Hargrove and Smith are allowed to participate in offseason activity, including preseason games, before their respective suspensions take effect. Vilma, though, is suspended immediately and will be reinstated after the coming season’s Super Bowl—which, coincidentally, will be played in New Orleans. Get the full story here; and for some historical perspective on how significant the penalties are, check out The Associated Press’ list of the longest NFL suspensions in history for on-field conduct or gambling here.