New Orleans Saints Official Statement Regarding ‘Bounty’ Penalties

The sports story of the day has been the penalties issued by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on the New Orleans Saints regarding the 'bounty scandal' investigation. As we already know, head coach Sean Payton has been suspended for the 2012 season starting April 1st. General Manager Mickey Loomis has been suspended for 8 games, and assistant coach Joe Vitt for 6 games. Former defensive coordinator Gregg Williams has been suspended indefinitely. The organization has been fined 500,000 dollars and stripped of second round draft picks for the next 2 years.

We have heard what several Saints players had to say including quarterback Drew Brees about the penalties issued by the league. Now, the Saints front office has issued an official statement.

From NewOrleansSaints.com:

Today, Commissioner Goodell apprised us of the severe penalties facing our club, as proposed by the NFL.

We recognize our fans’ concerns and we regret the uncertainty this episode has created for them. We are humbled by the support our organization has received from our fans today in the wake of this announcement, and we ask them to continue to stand with us, as they have done in the past, when both our team and our city have overcome greater adversities.

To our fans, the NFL and the rest of our league, we offer our sincere apology and take full responsibility for these serious violations.

It has always been the goal of the New Orleans Saints to create a model franchise and to impact our league in a positive manner.

There is no place for bounties in our league and we reiterate our pledge that this will never happen again.

We have not had an official statement from head coach Sean Payton yet, but as soon as we do, we will let you know.