Daily Madden: The End Of Bounties In The NFL
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) - The harsh penalties imposed on the New Orleans Saints by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell should eliminate bounties in the NFL, John Madden told the KCBS morning crew.
"That will be the end of bounties," Madden said. "Bounties will never be talked about with coaches and players again, ever. They know the severity of it."
Saints coach Sean Payton was suspended without pay for the season, defensive coordinator Gregg Williams was suspended indefinitely, the team was fined the maximum $500,000 and the Saints lost their second round draft picks this year and next.
"(The NFL) told them not to do it," John said. "They told the owner, they told the general manager, they told the head coach, they told the assistants, and they just kept doing it...They're the only team that did that and that's what their punishment is for."
Madden expected the penalty to be harsh.
"The league is trying to change the culture and make it a safer place," the former Raiders coach said. "(Commissioner Goodell) not only wanted to get the Saints, but he wanted everyone else in football to know, now and forever, that if you're doing it, don't do it anymore... How much (were bounty systems) in the league now, you don't know. But I know as of today there are none in the league." (7:50)
Listen to the John Madden segment live weekday mornings at 8:15 on KCBS All News 740 AM/106.9 FM.
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