NFL Counsel Jeff Pash “Anthony Hargrove Was Suspended For Lying”

The mystery surrounding the suspension of current and former Saints players deepened on Friday when NFL general counsel Jeff Pash revealed on PFT Live that former Saints now Packers defensive end Anthony Hargrove was not suspended for taking money or making a hit but instead for lying to investigators.

During the interview, Pash made a number of allegations and said the following in regards to Hargrove’s eight game suspension:

"We didn’t discipline Anthony Hargrove for taking any money in the context of this program.  What that video tape rather clearly demonstrates is two things: one, there was a program and it corroborates rather clearly that there was a program where a player could be rewarded for making a play that resulted in an injury to an opponent – you were basically making that point during the break; second, it demonstrates Mr. Hargrove’s awareness of the program and his understanding that it existed, and it demonstrates that his statements to our investigators in early 2010 denying the program and saying there was nothing like that  in existence were false.  That is the basis on which the commissioner imposed discipline on Mr. Hargrove."

We have heard many arguments about the bounty scandal ranging from it being normal practice to evidence being incorrect to absurd comparisons to WMDs. However, the one thing that we can all agree on was that there was a system in place – be it legal or otherwise – to reward players for hits.

Anthony Hargrove made the most critical mistake that any NFL player can make – he lied to NFL authorities to try and cover up what was going on. Of all the wrong things that have been alleged in this case, it is dishonesty toward NFL officials that is always going to levy the most severe punishment and it would be of no surprise to anyone if it were found that other players and coaches received punishment in part for being dishonest toward the investigation.

Pash made a number of other comments relating to evidence in the case and in particular confirmed there was evidence of bounties against Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton. Pash then went on to make a very valid point about the nature of the proceedings against the New Orleans Saints that as fans we need to understand:

"Let’s remember we are not talking about a murder case here.  This is not a criminal court.  This is a workplace disciplinary setting.  The procedures that are followed here, as De indicated quite candidly and correctly, are procedures that have been in place for decades.  If you look at the collective bargaining agreement back when Commissioner Rozelle was in office, the language of the agreement concerning commissioner discipline is almost identical to what it is in the current agreement. The reason for that is there has been a long-standing recognition that when you are addressing issues of integrity of the game, public confidence or player safety, there needs to be a clear and consistent authority and a clear and consistent manner of dealing with the issues.  That authority has been reposed in the commissioner by agreement with the players for decades.  The process here is exactly what everyone has understood it would be for decades, and it is exactly what was followed in this case."

What players, coaches and NFL fans alike need to understand is this: there is no recourse for players here. Either the NFL Commissioner rescinds their punishment or he doesn’t. That much is clear from Pash’s comments. With all the mud being flung at the NFL by players in this matter by calling out NFL officials for fabricating evidence, it is a blow to this campaign that the dishonesty charges against certain individuals are being brought forward.

Those involved would be advised to discontinue their attempts to discredit the NFL in the media because you can bet that should the Commissioner choose to do so his office could do a lot of damage to the character of the players involved – something I’m sure no-one in this saga wants.

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