Why NFL Would Be Insane to Lessen New Orleans Saints' Bounty Punishment

If Roger Goodell wants to maintain respect and a safety-first initiative across the NFL, he won't lessen the New Orleans Saints' bounty punishment.

No way.

Head coach Sean Payton is appealing his year-long suspension from the NFL for his role in the team's reckless bounty system. General manager Mickey Loomis is appealing his eight-game suspension. Linebackers coach Joe Vitt is also appealing his suspension, which was initially set for six games. 

It's Payton and Vitt's prerogative to appeal their punishments, but Goodell cannot budge on this ruling.

During the last three seasons, the NFL has made vast advancements in what's known about the severity and lasting effects of concussions. In turn, it's become more strict with helmet-to-helmet hits, much to the chagrin of many players and fans.

I innately love the violent aspect of the game as much as the next guy, but I realize that these players are people, who'll have full lives to live after their careers are over at age 35.

Yes, for all you old-school football fans, hitting is part of the game, but wasn't smoking part of society 60 and 70 years ago before we fully understood the harm it caused? 

It can still be a part of the game, but what's wrong with trying to lessen career-ending and potentially life-altering injuries? 

We'll all get over the 15-yard penalty on our favorite team's linebacker, who absolutely destroyed a defenseless receiver going across the middle. 

That receiver may not. 

Goodell's been trying to create a safer culture in the NFL, and with seemingly every defender launching himself for that SportsCenter hit, I've had no problem with it.

Sure, quarterbacks—the true money-makers in the NFL—have been a bit overprotected, but if a safer game is the goal, it's fine with me. 

That's why Goodell can't lessen the consequences to Payton or any contributing member of the Saints bounty program. What kind of precedent would he be setting by shortening the suspensions? That bounties are OK?

Unintentionally laying out a guy is one thing; going above and beyond the normal call of duty with financial incentives is another. 

It's an absolute mockery of the game's integrity and ultra-aggressive nature. 

Goodell has ruled with an iron fist so far, and I've loved just about everything he's done as commissioner. So, without question, he must stick with the penalties he initially handed down to the New Orleans Saints. 

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