Arbitrator Stephen Burbank rejects bonuty grievance
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Special Master Stephen Burbank, who is the arbitrator for the bounty grievance, has rejected the grievance that was filed against the NFL by Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma, defensive end Will Smith, Browns linebacker Scott Fujita and Packers defensive end Anthony Hargrove.
The players attempted to remove commissioner Roger Goodell’s jurisdiction over the player’s appeals.
Mike Freeman of CBSSports.com, did a great job of breaking down Burbank’s report.
Key part from arbitrator Burbank. Very long but very important: “The record, based on numerous witness interviews, and substantial…
— mike freeman (@realfreemancbs) June 4, 2012
“documentary evidence, clearly shows that Saints defensive players and coaches organized, administered and funded a pay-for-performance…
— mike freeman (@realfreemancbs) June 4, 2012
“bounty program for three seasons, that the program included…improper cash rewards for injuring opposing players.”
— mike freeman (@realfreemancbs) June 4, 2012
So Burbank looked at NFL evidence and came to conclusion there was a pay-to-injure scheme.
— mike freeman (@realfreemancbs) June 4, 2012
No matter what some current and former Saints players have to say, once again we have further confirmation that there was indeed a bounty program in place under former defensive coordinator Gregg Williams.
Update: Burbank will retain jurisdiction over Hargrove’s pending clarification on his actions. The rest of the players will be under Goodell.
Update: Burbanks ruling doesn’t further prove the players involved in the bounty scandal are guilty, it only gives Goodell the power to punish them. I would think that Goodell’s power to punish would’ve been taken away if there wasn’t enough evidence.
