In an unprecedented punishment, the NFL has suspended New Orleans head coach Sean Payton for the entire upcoming 2012 season for the bounty program he and defensive coordinator Gregg Williams held during the last three seasons. The program, which would reward players for injuring opposing players, by paying players for so-called "knock-outs" or "cart-offs" was funded by players.
"We are all accountable and responsible for player health and safety and the integrity of the game. We will not tolerate conduct or a culture that undermines those priorities," said Goodell, whose league faces more than 20 concussion-related lawsuits brought by hundreds of former players. "No one is above the game or the rules that govern it."
To me, although severe, this penalty definitely fits the magnitude of the crime. To overlook or not stop a program that would try to deliberately injure opposing players is just immoral and has no place in the NFL today. Payton has to take responsibility as head coach of the team, and ultimately, he'll pay the price with the season long suspension.
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