Jonathan Vilma: Saints Star Issues Statement Regarding Year-Long Suspension

Jonathan Vilma was dealt a huge blow by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell today, who suspended him without pay for the entirety of the 2012 NFL season due to his involvement in the New Orleans Saints' Bountygate scandal (reported by the Associated Press, via Sports Illustrated).

But Vilma doesn't plan to accept the suspension sitting down (via Albert Breer of the NFL Network):

"

Vilma issues a statement: "I INTEND TO FIGHT THIS INJUSTICE, TO DEFEND MY REPUTATION, TO STAND UP FOR MY TEAM AND MY PROFESSION. ... (cont)

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) May 2, 2012"

"

(Vilma cont) "... AND TO SEND A CLEAR SIGNAL TO THE COMMISSIONER THAT THE PROCESS HAS FAILED, TO THE DETRIMENT OF ME, MY ... (cont)

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) May 2, 2012"

"

(Vilma cont): "...TEAMMATES, THE NEW ORLEANS SAINTS AND THE GAME."

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) May 2, 2012"

One of the reasons Vilma likely received the harshest of all the punishments was that he offered money to have several players knocked out of games.

"

According to the league, Saints defensive captain Vilma offered $10,000 in cash to any player who knocked then-Cardinals QB Warner out of a playoff game at the end of the 2009 season, and the same amount for knocking then-Vikings QB Favre out of that season's NFC championship game.

"

Vilma and the NFL Players Association can appeal the suspension all they want—I would be shocked if this was overturned. Roger Goodell is out to make an example of someone in this monstrosity of a situation, and it would appear Vilma is his mark.

Hit me up on Twitter—my tweets make moves like Bill Belichick.