NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced on Wednesday that four players have been suspended for their role in the New Orleans Saints bounty scandal that was unearthed by an NFL investigation. Jonathan Vilma had the harshest discipline enacted, getting a full season suspension. Anthony Hargrove, now a member of the Green Bay Packers, has been suspended eight games while Will Smith was hit with a four-game ban and Scott Fujita, who is with the Browns currently, was given a three-game suspension.
Jonathan Vilma’s Suspension Starts Immediately; Appeals To Be Heard By Roger Goodell
Vilma’s suspension starts immediately and he can not participate in any more activities with the Saints.
The league’s statement indicates that the three other players can still participate in team activities through the preseason.
Fujita, Hargrove, and Smith may participate in all off-season activity, including preseason games, prior to the suspensions taking effect. Each player disciplined today is entitled to appeal the decision within three days. If an appeal is filed, Commissioner Goodell would hold a hearing at which the player may speak on his behalf and be represented by counsel.
Because these suspensions are “conduct detrimental” to the league, Goodell will be the one who hears the appeals, the same guy that originally handed down the suspensions. In other words, an appeal isn’t likely to be successful barring any new information.
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