The NFLPA issued a statement today in response to the league’s issuance of penalties associated with the New Orleans Saints “pay-for-performance” program, aka BountyGate. The statement reads:
NFLPA leadership looks forward to meeting with the Commissioner to discuss the League’s ‘Bounty’ investigation. To date, neither the League, nor the Saints, have helped us facilitate interviews with members of management or the coaching staff. We expect the League to provide all information so that we can ensure a fair process for all who were involved.
The NFL announced yesterday that New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton will be suspended for one season without pay for his involvement in the team’s bounty program and former defensive coordinator Gregg Williams has been suspended indefinitely. The team has also been fined $500,000 and will have to give up its second round draft picks in the 2012 and 2013 NFL draft.
Saints general manager Mickey Loomis has been suspended for 8 games. Saints assistant head coach Joe Vitt has been suspended without pay for the first six games of this season.
No penalties were announced for NFL players. Commissioner Roger Goodell stated on Wednesday that he planned to speak with the NFLPA about their independent investigations prior to issuing penalties to the players involved.
