Former players sickened by NFL Saints' bounty scandal

An audio recording of Gregg Williams allegedly demanding his team to hurt other players -- and offering to pay them for it -- is at the center of the NFL's pay-to-injure scandal. / CBS

(CBS News) - The NFL's bounty scandal has become a hot topic in sports, especially after New Orleans Saints' assistant coach Gregg Williams was heard on tape apparently offering his team bonuses to injure opposing players.

Today, CBS News chief investigative correspondent Armen Keteyian talked to former All-Pro quarterback Kurt Warner, one of the men who was targeted. Warner was not happy.

Former Saints player "deflated" by release of bounty audio
Dad of targeted 49er: Coach's order borders on "criminal act"
NFL bounty scandal: Filmmaker defends audio

In the audio tape that's rocked the football world like a blindside hit, Williams appears to exhort his defense to inflict specific damage to several San Francisco 49ers stars like running back Frank Gore. "We need to decide how many times we can meet Frank Gore's head," Williams says.

"Little 32, we want to knock the (expletive) out of him. He has no idea what he's in for," Williams said about 49ers running back Kendall Hunter, who was Gore's backup.

Those words sent a chill down Warner's spine. He was one of the intended targets of the Saints' pay-to-injure "bounty" system devised and administered by Williams during the last three seasons.

"When you talk about the intention of players to get the big hit, to knock guys out, to take them off on a stretcher, to attack what may be a weakness or where they've been injured before, I think that is where this whole thing crosses a line," Warner told CBS News.

Former NFL quarterback Boomer Esiason endured his fair share of hard hits during a 14-year career. Today, he said there's a clear difference between profane, take-no-prisoners motivation and what Williams was preaching.

"I'm sick to my stomach actually. In the 14 years that I played, I'd never heard a coach speak the way that Gregg Williams spoke on that audio tape," he said to CBS News.

Longstanding NFL rules specifically state that "no bonus or award may directly or indirectly be offered (for) personal fouls or injuries inflicted on opposing players."

Last month, Williams was suspended indefinitely for violating that rule. The scandal was only made worse with the release of the edited audio in which Williams said what he wanted done to players like wide receiver Michael Crabtree and his knee ligament.

"He becomes human when you (expletive) take out that outside ACL," Williams is clearly heard saying.

Esiason points blame at the entire Saints organization.

"If the head coach is not saying anything and the GM is not saying anything and the other position coaches that are in that room aren't saying anything, then it must be okay," Esiason said.

In fact, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell suspended Saints' head coach Sean Payton for all of next season, general manager Micky Loomis for eight games and assistant head coach Joe Vitt for six games. They have all appealed those penalties. A decision by Goodell is expected any day.

[Forty-Four]

To be honest, the comments he made were not that bad. Just normal football talk, that is until you get to the part where he talks about hitting player's heads, and targeting certain places that can end their careers. Targeting old injuries is dirty, but I'm sure happens with EVERY team in the NFL.

[ryth2012]

haha get a "Bounty Hunter" T-Shirt --> http://www.cafepress.com/bountyhunter2012

[magnumdr]

This maggot should be barred from football for the rest of his life just like they did to Pete Rose!

[the0racle]

life imitates art http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v53mGjWu0F4

[mick7744]

I think the New Orleans defensive players were probably more motivated to injure targeted opposing players by the very real fear of losing their starting positions than of collecting a "bounty"

Since this was clearly the overall Saints team policy, condoned and encouraged from the top on down, players who didn't "earn" any bounties could justifiably fear being replaced far more than with failing to grab a few extra dollars.

I agree with some posters that the possibility of criminal charges should be explored, and that the Saints franchise should be held liable for compensatory damages for any intentionally injured player's loss of potential income.

I also agree that the Saints surely aren't the only NFL team operating this way...they're just the only ones who've been caught...so far

Damn...playing, then for many years after...watching football used to be such fun...

[robert1129]

I very much agree with you. Years ago Johnny Unitas and Moore, both QB Colts, were injured by a certain linebacker. Fans were accusing the LB of dirty play. Unitas and Moore went on TV to reassure the fans that their injuries were the result of clean hard hits. In this case, the Saints (and I include everyone from players to coaches to management) approved of this bounty system. All of the coaches should be banned from any coaching position henceforth either pro or otherwise. What they preach has no place in any level of football. The others need to be also banned on an individual case basis.

[sumpledude234]

While we all love the hard hits, integrity is required of everyone. Not only the coaches, but the players who participated should be banned for life. There is one major thing that so many people and so many players forget: Its a game, and everyone including the fans should have fun. Football is a sport of athleticism and intelligence, being the better competitor. Encouraging injury, at least in my limited point of view, should be considered cheating! At that point it no longer is about being the best, it is about cheating your way to the top.

And for all the NE fans out there, sorry but your coach should have been banned for life too. All of us fans want a fair game.

Whats the old saying? Once a thief always a thief? Once a cheater, always a cheater? Its just a matter of time before they get caught.

[greggiex]

There should clearly be a criminal investigation for aggravated assault and conspiracy to commit same. Lock this sucka up.

[nanc12]

by doctorj2u April 6, 2012 9:41 PM EDT
Steve Gleason is disgusted by the betrayal of this videograher. I am disgusted by the bias of CBS. But I am a native New Orleanian. We are use to betrayal, even by our own country and media. Situation normal.
--------------------
Really? You're disgusted because CBS ran this story, and because the videographer released the audio? You're not disgusted that your team won thought it was ok to try to end players' careers, and won the Super Bowl while breaking the rules? That's the betrayal, doc - they betrayed the rules of decency.

[robert1129]

Steve - You are dead wrong. NO has a dirty team and has to be cleaned up. If it cannot be cleaned up, the franchise needs to be moved by the league to some city that does not have an NFL team.

[shurch4truth]

Money for intentionally injuring another player???

...like these guys aren't already making a lot of money?

geeezzzz

[Aceduece]

The coaches involved should be fired and banned from the NFL forever. Any player taking part and collecting any bonuses should also be gone. Oh and that Super Bowl Trophy: "return it to the NFL office". Championship/Cancelled.