 After months of deliberation and many days in court, ‘BountyGate’ has finally come to a close. But it only closes for the players involved rather than the coaches. On Friday, September 7th of 2011, the Appeals revoked the suspensions of Saints LB Jonathan Vilma and DE Will Smith, Cleveland Browns LB Scott Fujita, and Green Bay Packers DE Anthony Harthgrove for the 2011 regular season. The players were celebratory of the decision, with Vilma tweeting ‘Victory is mine!!!!’ over on Twitter once he heard the news.
However though the players were able to play, they are on a considerably short leash. Commissioner Roger Goodell still can suspend them if there is another incident with proof that they took monetary commissions for knocking out targeted opposing players. Also, you still have Saints Head Coach Sean Payton still suspended for the entire year, his interim, Offensive Coordinator Joe Vitt, is still suspended for 6 games this year, as well as Saints GM Mickey Loomis who is suspended for 8 games this year as well. And no matter how hard Vilma and the others will deny it, their fellow NFL peers will never look at them the same way again. Though the players may consider this ruling a victory, it is only but a pyrrhic victory. The Bountygate is closed but its legacy will remain. -Ryan L. Fox |
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