The NFL doled out more punishment over the New Orleans Saints' bounty scandal Wednesday, suspending four players for their roles in the pay-for-pain scheme, including a season-long ban for current Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma. According to the National Football League (NFL), the players were banned for taking leadership roles in a program that gave cash rewards for knocking opponents out of games from 2009-2011 and is believed to have included between 22 and 27 players. “The evidence clearly showed that the players being held accountable today willingly and enthusiastically embraced the bounty program,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. “Players put the vast majority of the money into this program and they share responsibility for playing by the rules and protecting each other within those rules.” The bounty scandal has been a black eye for a league that has been focusing on player safety as they face lawsuits from hundreds of former players who suffered concussions. In addition to Vilma, defensive lineman Anthony Hargove (now with the Green Bay Packers) was suspended eight games, Saints' defensive end Will Smith will miss four games and linebacker Scott Fujita (now with the Cleveland Browns) will miss three games to start the 2012 NFL season. Each player may appeal the decision within three days.
