The player appeals in the New Orleans Saints bounty case will be coming on June 18, according to a report from Steve Wyche of NFL.com. Four players suspended by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will appeal their discipline in the first face-to-face meeting between the players and Goodell.
Appeals In Saints Bounty Case To Come June 18; Jonathan Vilma Will Meet Roger Goodell
Those suspended players include Jonathan Vilma (full season), Anthony Hargrove (eight games), Will Smith (four games) and Scott Fujita (three games). Vilma and Smith both remain on the Saints. Hargrove is now with the Green Bay Packers and Fujita is a member of the Cleveland Browns.
The NFLPA has filed grievances involved in this case. They first challenged Goodell’s authority to hand out punishment at all in this case, but that was shot down. They have also challenged whether Goodell, or someone else, should hear these appeals, but there has been no decision on that.
It wouldn't be a total stunner if one or more of the player suspensions were reduced after an appeal. The players have declined to speak with Goodell to this point, so perhaps there's new information the players can bring to the table when they do sit down with him.
It’s also going to be interesting with Vilma and Goodell in the same room because Vilma has sued Goodell for defamation.
For more Saints coverage, check out Canal Street Chronicles. Follow the latest developments in the bounty case in this StoryStream.
Saints fans, check out the video below with Nick Toon.
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