Yesterday � two days after NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell denied appeals by Will Smith, Anthony Hargrove, Jonathan Vilma, and Scott Fujita, who have been fined and suspended for participating in the bounty scheme � the NFLPA filed a lawsuit against the NFL on behalf of Smith, Hargrove and Fujita. Vilma has already filed two separate lawsuits against the league and the Commissioner.
In the NFLPA�s lawsuit, the union claims that Goodell violated the collective bargaining agreement in his handling of the bounty scheme. The lawsuit asks that previous arbitration be set aside and a new arbitrator put in place to preside over the issue.
Commissioner Goodell has been diligent in pursuing the truth, determined to rid the league of bounty schemes and dedicated to protecting the game and those who play it. Fourth & Goal supports the Commissioner and stands behind him in these efforts. His unprecedented actions to address the bounty scheme � from the warnings that were issued to New Orleans Saints� general manager Mickey Loomis and head coach Sean Payton after the 2009 season, to the suspensions and fines of Saints officials and former and current Saints� players � are warranted, right and just.
Let me make one thing clear: bounties have no place in football. This is not about making a tackle inside the 20. This is not about making a big play. This is not about standing out on special teams. Bounties are about making sure a player � an NFL teammate � is injured, presumably to give the defense an advantage. Football is a game of strategy and skill, not bounties.
Those ignoring, encouraging, or engaging in a bounty system are overlooking something germane to NFL football. With an annual turnover of nearly 40% of players on NFL teams, the target of a bounty yesterday may well be a teammate tomorrow.
As NFL Counsel Jeff Pash observed during a discussion with the Associated Press in April, the NFLPA represents all active players, yet the union is protecting and defending only those who participated in the bounty system. Those who were the targets of bounties and/or were injured by bounty-incentivized hits � and all other active NFL players � have been abandoned by the union in the bounty scandal. Perhaps the safety of the targeted players is not among the union�s priorities.
The NFLPA�s determination to defend players who were found to have been involved in the bounty scheme, its disregard for the players who were targeted and for the majority of the players it is supposed to represent, and its disrespect for the game, the players and their families is incomprehensible, inexcusable and indefensible.
In his resolve to holding team officials and players accountable for bounties, in his commitment to making the game safer for players, and in his dedication to protecting the integrity of the game,Roger Goodell has it right. The NFLPA has it wrong.
Bruce Laird
President, Fourth & Goal
Baltimore Colts, 1972-1981
San Diego Chargers, 1982-1983
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