10/11/2012

Scott Fujita's letter


 Here is NFL commissioner Roger Goodell's letter to Carmel Valley resident and Browns linebacker Scott Fujita, explaining his reasons for still suspending him for one game for 'Bounty Gate'.

“I believe that everyone in the NFL, including players, has an obligation to promote fair and safe play, and to protect the integrity of the game. Your failure to act contributed to allowing this program to remain in place not only during the 2009 season, but for two additional seasons after that.  There also remains the matter of your admitting to having essentially run your own rewards program, separate and apart from the program in which Coach Williams was involved, in which you paid or offered to pay teammates for ‘big plays’ such as forced fumbles or sacks. As you described the payments at our recent meeting, they were entirely independent of Coach Williams, the Club, or any Club Affiliate. As you further noted, you would pay such pledges only if the Saints won the game. This conduct is itself a violation of Article IX, Sections 9.1(c)(8) and 9.3(F) of the Constitution and Bylaws.”

 Tell me.
 What player is going to turn in his coach, his superior without facing serious ramifications, or being blackballed from the league? Weren't there 52 other players aware of this as well?
 One more thing.
 Fujita was not with the Saints in 2010 and 2011.

 Fujita's response.
 "I'm pleased the Commissioner has finally acknowledged that I never participated in any so-called 'bounty' program, as I've said for the past seven months.
 However, the condescending tone used in his redetermination letter was neither accurate nor productive. Additionally, I am now purportedly being suspended for failing to confront my former defensive coordinator for his inappropriate use of language.
 The Commissioner says he is disappointed in me. Truth is, I'm disappointed in him."



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