Sean Payton Suspended 1 Year For Role In Bounty Program
(CBS) New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton has been suspended a full year without pay due to his involvement in the team's bounty program.
Meanwhile, former Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams (now with the Rams) was suspended indefinitely and Saints general manager Mickey Loomis was suspended eight games. Williams' suspension will be reevaluated after the 2012 season.
"We have given your requests careful consideration, and have concluded that there is no basis for delaying the imposition of any discipline in this matter, and particularly not as it may apply to a club or any non-player employee of a club," NFL attorney Jeff Pash wrote in the letter to union general counsel Richard Berthelsen. "Any disciplinary action affecting any player would be imposed only in a manner consistent with our Collective Bargaining Agreement. As you know, the sole authority to investigate and impose discipline in this matter rests with the Commissioner."
The NFL's investigation into ordeal revealed that Saints players received $1,500 for a "knockout" hit and $1,000 for a "cart-off" hit, with payouts doubling or tripling during the team's three playoff appearances.
Payton's suspension will be begin April 1.
