Jonathan Vilma Releases Statement On Season Long Suspension

New Orleans Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma found out today while watching television that he has been suspended for the entire 2012-13 NFL season. Vilma has been banished from the team’s facilities effective immediately as a result of the league’s investigation into “Bountygate.”

It is understandable that Vilma is upset he will be missing the entire season — and an awful lot of money — especially since he found out while watching SportsCenter.

Vilma plans to fight the suspension and he released a statement through his lawyer denying any reports that he helped contribute money.

"I am shocked and extremely disappointed by the NFL’s decision to suspend me for the 2012 season. Commissioner Roger Goodell has refused to share any of the supposed evidence he claims supports this unprecedented punishment. The reason is clear: I never paid, or intended to pay, $10,000, or any amount of money, to any player for knocking Kurt Warner, Brett Favre or any other player out of the 2009 Divisional playoff game, 2010 NFC Championship Game or any other game.I never set out to intentionally hurt any player and never enticed any teammate to intentionally hurt another player. I also never put any money into a bounty pool or helped to create a bounty pool intended to pay out money for injuring other players. I have always conducted myself in a professional and proud manner.I intend to fight this injustice, to defend my reputation, to stand up for my team and my profession, and to send a clear signal to the commissioner that the process has failed, to the detriment of me, my teammates, the New Orleans Saints and the game."

Considering the suspensions handed out to the other men significantly involved in the scandal, it is not shocking that Vilma has been suspended for the entire year. What would be shocking is if Vilma won his appeal.

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