Kill Shot Bounties by the New Orleans Saints - A parable of our time

[autorank]

By Michael Collins



A National Football League (NFL) investigation just found that the New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator, Gregg Williams, and defensive players developed a scheme of cash rewards for game ending hits on key opposing players. A defensive hit that led to a targeted player being carted off the field was worth $1500. A game ending injury for an opponent, called a kill shot was also worth $1500. The cash rewards were increased substantially for playoff games. (Sports Illustrated video) ...

When is Premeditated Violence with the Intent to Injure Above the Law?

That would be when you're the National Football League. They uncovered a conspiracy to inflict pain and bodily injury on football players. In addition to the injuries resulting from kill shots, the actions of Gregg and his thugs threatened to limit or end the ability of targeted players to earn a living. These are criminal and civil crimes.

Link: http://agonist.org/michael_collins/20120303/kill_shot_bounties_by_the_new_orleans_saints_a_parable_of_our_time

[Zalatix]

1. They'll soon find this practice is NFL-wide.

Edited to add: I'm utterly shocked that people didn't know this has been SOP for DECADES.

[cherokeeprogressive]

3. Zactly.

And in other news... water is wet.

[Zalatix]

4. So what will other NFL teams do? Condemn the Saints or be quiet?

I hope the NFL seriously investigates the first team that starts trash talking about this.

[cherokeeprogressive]

9. Everyone dummies up, and it goes away in short order.

That's what I think. No one in NFL management wants to touch this with a ten-foot pole. Remember who Roger Goodell works for... he works for the OWNERS, and just like in MLB, the OWNERS own the sport AND the rules.

Imagine the uproar if the NCAA actually investigated point shaving in college basketball... now there's an investigation that would get some attention.

[Dawson Leery]

2. Perhaps Gregg Williams should face felony charges.

[Initech]

10. I could definitely see an assault charge or two being filed.

But seriously this ranks about a 9 out of 10 on my -o-meter.

[qazplm]

5. a parable of our time?

You don't think this and worse was done 30 years ago?

[Brickbat]

7. Exactly. Nothing new under the sun.

[cherokeeprogressive]

8. "You hold 'im up and I'll hit 'im" n/t

[Brickbat]

6. "A hundred bucks of my own money for the first of my guys who really nails that creep!"

[malthaussen]

11. When a guy is making a million a year

... why should he be "motivated" by a $1500 reward? If this is a parable of our times, it is not because of the monetary reward, but because of the "whatever it takes" attitude that has permeated our society in much more than sports.

-- Mal

[RB TexLa]

12. It's cash. And there are players, especially on special teams who use this to greatly increase

their salary.

[spanone]

13. redskins too....bet every team is in on this crap

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/7644139/nfl-reportedly-probe-washington-redskins-bounties