Sean Payton: Is He Really Sorry for the New Orleans Saints' Bountygate?

Sean Payton put out his best written apology yesterday, and said he was sorry that the NFL caught him. OK, it wasn't stated exactly that way, so here is a part of his actual statement:

"I share and fully support the league's concerns and goals on player safety. It is, and should be, paramount."

Also: "Beep beep boop. End apology sequence." Obviously Payton isn't really sorry, he's the classic example of someone being sorry because they got caught. He's sorry because he's suspended for a year.

He's sorry because he could potentially lose $5.8 million of his salary. This isn't necessarily a bad thing; it's rather a very human thing. What else is Payton going to say?

He's pretty much forced and required by unspoken NFL shaman law to give a computerized, mechanical apology. Everyone in every sport is required to give one after doing something really "wrong."

He also added, "Respecting our great game and the NFL shield is extremely important to me," because it is very important that the "NFL shield" is upheld and protected. God, did Goodell make him add that part in?

It's so pandering to the NFL's new theory that they are "doing whatever they can" when it comes to player safety, it's ridiculous. They aren't.

So, to wrap up: Payton is very sorry. But he's probably not. The NFL shield must be protected, like this is Braveheart or something. I don't know.