On Tuesday afternoon, the NFL upheld suspensions for the four players in the New Orleans Saints bounty case. Following the league's announcement, the NFLPA issued a statement echoing the union's ongoing concerns over the handling of the investigation and the role of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in the disciplinary process.
NFLPA Statement On Saints Player Suspensions
Here is the full statement:
The players are disappointed with the League’s conduct during this process. We reiterate our concerns about the lack of fair due process, lack of integrity of the investigation and lack of the jurisdictional authority to impose discipline under the collective bargaining agreement. Moreover, the Commissioner took actions during this process that rendered it impossible for him to be an impartial arbitrator.
The NFLPA has never and will never condone dangerous or reckless conduct in football and to date, nothing the League has provided proves these players were participants in a pay-to-injure program. We will continue to pursue all options.
As the statement makes clear, this will not be the final round of back-and-forth over the suspensions handed down in the bounty case. Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma, suspended for the entire season, is suing the league over the suspension, and has also filed a defamation lawsuit against Goodell.
For more Saints coverage, check out Canal Street Chronicles. Follow the latest developments in the bounty case in this StoryStream.
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