New Orleans Saints bounty scandal

Defensive coordinator Gregg Williams -- now with the St. Louis Rams -- was suspended indefinitely in the wake of a three-year investigation of the Saints’ bounty system. (Gerald Herbert / Associated Press)

May 2, 2012 10:29 AM PT

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The New Orleans Saints’ pay-for-performance bounty program, in which players were offered cash bonuses for injuring opponents, and its subsequent coverup have resulted in the NFL handing out some of the toughest punishment in its history.

Saints Head Coach Sean Payton was suspended without pay for the entire 2012 season for his participation in the bounty program. (Chris O’Meara / Associated Press)

Mickey Loomis, the Saints’ general manager, was suspended for the first eight games of the upcoming season for his part in the scandal. (Seth Wenig / Associated Press)

Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma was suspended for the entire 2012 season, the harshest punishment handed a player for the scandal. (Seth Perlman / Associated Press)

Defensive end Anthony Hargrove, who now plays for Green Bay, was suspended for eight games without pay. (Dave Martin / Associated Press)

Saints defensive end Will Smith was suspended for four games without pay. (Dave Martin / Associated Press)

Linebacker Scott Fujita, left, now with the Cleveland Browns, was suspended for three games without pay. (Amy Sancetta / Associated Press)

Saints assistant head coach Joe Vitt was appointed to fill in as head coach during Sean Payton’s suspension, though he himself has been suspended for the first six games of next season. The Saints have not announced who will take over head coaching duties at that time. (Brett Duke / Associated Press)

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New Orleans Saints bounty scandal

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