Jonathan Vilma, the New Orleans Saints’ linebacker who received a one-year suspension in the team’s bounty case, received strong support from quarterback Drew Brees in his quest to play this season.
Vilma is fighting his punishment levied by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. Brees’ affidavit was entered in New Orleans federal court as evidence for Vilma’s motion to dismiss the 2012 suspension for the linebacker’s alleged involvement in a program offering bonuses to players who injure opponents. Vilma has sued Goodell, claiming defamation.
An NFL investigation found that the New Orleans Saints operated a bounty system rewarding between 22 and 27 players for hard hits and injuring opposing players.
Drew Brees, who signed a five-year, $100 million contract last week to stay with the Saints, also swears that he wasn’t aware of any bounty program.
“I have no knowledge of a pay to injure program existing, and yet to personally see any evidence that would substantiate these allegations,” Brees says in the affidavit. “In my four years as a teammate with Jonathan, I have found that he is a man of integrity who passionately plays the game of football within the frameworks of the rules and has respect for his opponents.”
Drew Brees was generous in his depiction of Vilma, who has been a model citizen off the field. He said Vilma has been dedicated to helping the city recover from Hurricane Katrina and has started a foundation to build schools in Haiti.
“As a professional football player, our platform to reach our communities is directly driven by the manner in which we compete on the field,” Brees said. “Therefore, Jonathan’s absence on the field will adversely affect his ability to impact the community in a positive way as a leader and a role model.”
Vilma and Saints coach Sean Payton have been suspended for the 2012 season for their roles in the bounty program the NFL says went on for three seasons.
The league wants the case dismissed because the collective bargaining agreement reached last August to end the lockout gives the commissioner the authority to punish players for “conduct detrimental” to the NFL. But Vilma is not accepting Goodell’s unilateral decision without a fight.
