The NFL will not have to face a higher power over the issue of bounties in the wake of the New Orleans Saints bounty scandal. Roger Goodell met with Illinois Senator Dick Durbin on Wednesday afternoon. Following that meeting, the second-highest ranking Democrat in the upper chamber said that a proposed hearing on bounties in professional football would be called off.
Senator Nixes Potential Bounty Hearings; NFL Vows To Create Anonymous Hotline
Durbin was persuaded by Goodell’s explanation of the league’s forthcoming efforts to prevent anything like the Saints scandal from happening again. On top of the punishments handed down to current and former Saints players and coaches, Goodell assured the Senator that there would be sanctions for any such activities discovered in the future.
The league will be adding a section to the player handbook regarding bounties. On top of that, the NFL will introduce something of a social marketing campaign around the issue. Locker rooms will feature posters reminding players and coaches about the illegality of bounties, and the NFL will establish a hotline where people can report bounties or similar activities.
Prior to the meeting between Goodell and Sen. Durbin, the NFLPA sent out a statement calling for a hearing on player health and safety concerns.
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