'An Eye For An Eye, And A Tooth For A Tooth'

"You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth'".  Matthew 5:38

In all sports, rules are meant to be respected and followed, and whoever chooses to do otherwise shall be punished. That is why there is a system and an organization behind them. Unfortunately, the New Orleans Saints decided to create their own rules for the past three seasons, and recently, were caught running a shocking bounty program in their locker room.

Naturally, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell took the necessary measure to take care of it and make sure it does not happen again by punishing all the different players and personnel involved in this shameful program. Saints Head coach, Sean Payton is suspended until March 31, 2013 (one year suspension), former defensive coordinator is suspended indefinitely, defensive captain player, Jonathan Vilma is out for a year, among other players. In addition, the team was taken away the 2012 and 2013 first round picks.

Personally, I could not agree more with the punishments given by Commissioner Goodell, but what really grimed my gears was the fact that Sean Payton appealed the decision made by the commissioner, as if he was not guilty of his 'crime'. Obviously, his appeal did not reduce his suspension time from the league, but I just wonder: how did he think it was not a fair decision by the NFL? I mean, Coach Payton was allowing bounty calls in his locker room, which means that he was aware that his players were trying to hurt and injure opponent players, so they would be taken out of the game in order for the Saints to have a better chance to win games. He clearly understood that by allowing his players to do that, they were attempting toward players' careers... Players who have a life outside of football, such as families, responsibilities and bills to pay just like everyone else does.

It is interesting to evaluate his views on the matter, because when the bounty program that he was running in New Orleans was affecting players with promising careers and their big contracts, he could not careless. But when his own life was being affected by the commissioner ruling against his dirty program, he felt it was unjust. Please Coach Payton, give us all a break! Assume the consequences like a man, admit that you screwed up bad and be thankful Commissioner Goodell did not kick you out of the league indefinitely, which is what I would have done.

Honestly, I used to like the Saints and rooted for them in Super Bowl forty four in 2010, which they ended up winning, by the way. But these acts of misconduct took all credibility and professionalism away from their 2010 Super Bowl victory, as they were secretly working their way through to the super bowl by putting money on the head of the most important players of the opponent teams with the intention to take them out of the games, fraudulently.

The bounty program in the NFL is not only against the rules, but it is dishonorable, cheating and totally inappropriate... Simply disgusting! Whoever participates or has participated in such nasty event should be ashamed of themselves forever, as it turns them into nothing else but cowards and weak men.

- Y gracias por no fumar!

From left to right: Coach Payton, Commissioner Goodell and QB
Brees at Super Bowl XLIV. Picture from topics.thetowntalk.com