Saints' Payton suspended for season by NFL

The Associated Press

Published: Wednesday, March 21 2012 11:08 a.m. MDT

In this Sept. 26, 2010, file photo, New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton and defensive coordinator Gregg Williams during an NFL game. The NFL has suspended Payton for the 2012 season and Williams is banned from the league indefinitely

Associated Press

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Summary

The NFL has suspended New Orleans head coach Sean Payton for the 2012 season, and former Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams is banned from the league indefinitely because of the team's bounty program that targeted opposing players.

NEW YORK — The NFL has suspended New Orleans head coach Sean Payton for the 2012 season, and former Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams is banned from the league indefinitely because of the team's bounty program that targeted opposing players.

Commissioner Roger Goodell will review Williams' status after the upcoming season and consider whether he can return to the league.

Also Wednesday, Goodell suspended Saints general manager Mickey Loomis for the first eight regular-season games of 2012, and assistant coach Joe Vitt has to sit out the first six games.

In addition, the Saints are being fined $500,000 and forfeit second-round draft picks this year and in 2013.

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UtahBlueDevil

Durham, NC

I really liked the Saints. They had a great story going after Katrina. But then winning became too important and they tried to end other peoples careers to win yet another game. I am glad to see the NFL take this stand.

My football More..

4:18 p.m. March 21, 2012
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