[UPDATE] Saints Bounty Scandal Penalties Overturned

About 20 minutes ago, Sports Illustrated senior writer Jim Trotter tweeted, "BREAKING: A 3-member appeals panel has overturned the player suspensions in the Saints bounty case, says a source. Details coming." I for one, am shocked.

I thought for sure the players suspensions would be upheld, obviously there was much more to this story than was originally reported. Trotter went on to say the commissioner Goodell can reconsider the penalties only if there is evidence of intent to injure beyond just the performance pool, according to a source. What that boils down to is that Goodell will have to find something else in order to keep the players out of the game. Details are still coming out on this, and there has been no official word from the NFL as of yet.

Like I said, I'm shocked by this. This whole ordeal has made Goodell look like a hard-nosed commissioner who isn't going to allow a bounty program and is willing to severely punish those who participate in one. The appeals board has pretty much undermined this whole idea. According to them, simply being part of a bounty program isn't enough to warrant suspensions. Either that, or there was new evidence that what we all thought went on in New Orleans didn't really happen the way it was reported. Whatever the case may be, I'm sure this isn't over, not by a long shot. Also, it should be noted that the coaches have not been mentioned whatsoever, only the player's suspensions have been overturned. Again, that may change, so stay tuned for updates.

UPDATE- Here's the full statement from the NFL: "Consistent with the panel's decision, Commissioner Goodell will, as directed, make an expedited determination of the discipline imposed for violating the league's pay-for-performance/bounty rule. Until that determination is made, the four players are reinstated and eligible to play starting this weekend."


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