ESPN NFL Analyst Damien Woody: ‘Bounty Program Happens All Around League’

Published: 2^nd Mar 12 5:46 pm

by Michael Terrill
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ESPN NFL Analyst Damien Woody: ‘Bounty Program Happens All Around League’

Matt Stamey-US PRESSWIRE

New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator Greg Williams is responsible for the “bounty program” that took place during the 2009, 2010 and 2011 seasons.

Stories and videos are coming out about specific vicious hits that were supposedly part of the ‘pay for performance’ program the Saints employed. Now we must ask ourselves who else in the league is doing this.

“This ‘bounty’ program happens all around the league…not surprising,” said ESPN NFL analyst Damien Woody via Twitter. “The bigger question w/ this ‘bounty’ issue is…..WHO SNITCHED?!?! I’m just speaking from a guy that was in the lockerroom….these things happened, not saying it was right, but it happened.”

Woody played for three teams during his NFL career and the scary part about it is not one of them was the Saints.

Several other NFL players are taking to Twitter to discuss their opinions, which seem to be split at the moment.

“Why is this a big deal now? Bounties been going on forever. A “Bounty” left me with a torn PCL and LCL in my knee …,” said Buffalo Bills linebacker Shawn Merriman.

“I mean seriously, think about it. You’re talking about paying someone to INTENTIONALLY injure someone else. They put people in JAIL for that. And let me make it perfectly clear – it doesn’t matter WHAT team you play for. That kind of thing should NEVER happen,” said Minnesota Vikings punter Chris Kluwe.

“No place in NFL for bounties. Physical play is an attribute but malicious intent should be removed,” said Arizona Cardinals Kicker Jay Feely.

“Football is a violent game n just because someone is hit very hard doesn’t mean it’s malicious,” said Detroit Lions safety Chris Harris.

“I think people forget that football is a contact sport. If you don’t wanna get hurt don’t play. I was always told keep your head on a swivel,” said San Diego Chargers linebacker Shaun Phillips.

The fact that the consensus is this is nothing new in the league is a scary thought. I understand players discuss how physical they are going to be with their opponents every week. Not to mention the trash talking that happens on the field, but for a coordinator to put a bounty on specific players his team will face is absolutely ridiculous.

I am all for big contact hits, that is what makes the NFL great, but I am not going to support players getting paid cash to intentionally injure other players. No matter how these “professionals” try to spin it, it is simply not right.

Hopefully, commissioner Roger Goodell and the NFL can get this under control so something like this will never happen again.