La. Legislature asks NFL to reconsider Saints penalties

The Louisiana Legislature is asking the NFL to reconsider the penalties imposed on the New Orleans Saints because of its bounty program. The formal request received final legislative passage with a 28-1 Senate vote Monday. In the resolution, lawmakers say there is “widespread public opinion throughout the state of Louisiana and beyond that the penalties imposed upon the Saints are too harsh and should be reconsidered.” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has suspended Saints coach Sean Payton for the 2012 season. General manager Mickey Loomis got an eight-game suspension, assistant coach Joe Vitt received a six-game suspension, and the club was fined $500,000. Two current Saints players and two former Saints players also have been suspended. The lawmakers’ resolution says: “The New Orleans Saints have produced countless exciting and magical moments for the city of New Orleans, the state of Louisiana, the Gulf Coast region and the entire country.” It also says the suspensions “will likely have a negative economic impact across the Crescent City and the state as a whole.” You can check out the complete two-page resolution here.