NFL lifts suspension of Saints coach Sean Payton
NEW YORK NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has reinstated New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton following a season-long suspension for his role in the team's bounty scandal.
The announcement comes Tuesday, a day after Payton met with Goodell. At the meeting, Payton took responsibility for the actions of his coaching staff.
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Goodell says Payton has "fully complied with all the requirements imposed on him during his suspension."
Payton says in a statement that he recognized mistakes were made "which led to league violations," and adds he's "excited to be back as head coach of the New Orleans Saints."
CBSSports.com NFL National Insider Mike Freeman comments that because of the case, there may be never bounties again. He writes: "The practice of paying for big hits or knockouts or, more specifically, the practice of turning pay-to-injure hits into a form of capitalism, will probably never happen again. No coach or player will want to risk it."
Payton, along with several coaches, the general manager and four players, was suspended in connection with the league's bounty investigation that found the club had a performance pool offering cash rewards for key plays, including big hits.