Paul Tagliabue, after months and months of legal machinations, overturned the suspensions of four current and former New Orleans Saints players named in NFL so-called “bounty” case.
Tagliabue, the former NFL commissioner appointed by the league to rule on the case, however, detemined that the players’ conduct was detrimental to the league and that they participated in a performance program that rewarded hard tackles, which justified fines.
But he said Tuesday that “this entire case has been contaminated by the coaches and others in the Saints’ organization.”
Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma initially had been suspended the entire season, while Saints defensive end Will Smith, Cleveland linebacker Scott Fujita and free agent defensive lineman Anthony Hargrove received shorter suspensions.
Commissioner Roger Goodell issued the initial suspensions, including a full-season ban for Saints head coach Sean Payton and lesser games losses for assistant coach Joe Vitt.
“We respect Mr. Tagliabue’s decision, which underscores the due process afforded players in NFL disciplinary matters,” the NFL said in a statement. “This matter has now been reviewed by Commissioner Goodell, two CBA grievance arbitrators, the CBA Appeals Panel, and Mr. Tagliabue as Commissioner Goodell’s designated appeals officer.
“The decisions have made clear that the Saints operated a bounty program in violation of league rules for three years, that the program endangered player safety, and that the commissioner has the authority under the CBA to impose discipline for those actions as conduct detrimental to the league.
“Strong action was taken in this matter to protect player safety and ensure that bounties would be eliminated from football.”
Lawsuits brought by Vilma and the NFL Players Association to challenge Goodell’s handling of the case, including his decision in October to appoint Tagliabue as the arbitrator for the appeals, are pending in federal court in New Orleans.
