The New Orleans Saints were handed some of the hardest penalties in NFL history Wednesday for employing a bounty program during the 2009 season.
Reaction to the news has come from near and far. Vikings’ punter Chris Kluwe is one of the most outspoken players in the league, and he took to Twitter to express his frustration with anyone upset with whoever “snitched” on the Saints.
“To everyone who thinks the source was a ‘snitch’ and a bad person — f*** you, Kluwe tweeted. F*** you and your glorification of criminality.”
One player that could be suspended in the near future is Remi Ayodele. Ayodele played for the Saints and was part of an aggressive high-low hit on Brett Favre in the 2009-10 NFC title game. A looming suspension may have had something to do with Ayodele’s contract being terminated by the Vikings on Wednesday. The defensive tackle struggled in 2011 — his only season in Minnesota.
If Ayodele is punished by the NFL, it’s unlikely that he’ll be alone. Goodell is expected to hand down more harsh penalties against players who “target their opponents and engage in unsafe and prohibited conduct intended to injure players.”
Star Tribune columnist Jim Souhan simply states that Goodell “got it right.” Souhan is impressed with Goodell because Goodell forced Payton to “put his money where his mouth was.” The Saints’ coach will miss out on $7.5 million in 2012.
Bob Sansevere of the Pioneer Press used humor in his column by suggesting “The Saints are the Aints again.” New Orleans was referred to as the “Aints” during the dark ages of the team’s past.
Vikings fans were very happy to see the Saints punished as severely as they were. However, it seems that anything short of stripping New Orleans of its Super Bowl trophy won’t completely satisfy fans who believe the bounty program cost Minnesota a chance at a Super Bowl of their own.
On a positive note the St. Paul Saints are starting a bounty program of their own, only this one is for a good cause. The Saints are hoping to raise money for concussion research and treatment by hosting “Bounty Night” on September 1. For more on this comical, yet helpful night, click here.
