Sean Payton's Suspension Appeal: Roger Goodell Upholds Decision

New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton's suspension has been upheld by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, according to Albert Breer of the NFL Network.  

The punishment initially handed down to linebackers coach Joe Vitt and general manager Mickey Loomis were upheld too. 

Breer notes that financial penalties could be reduced for all parties. 

Based on a tweet from NFL.com's Jason La Canfora, Payton's one-year suspension will begin on Monday, April 16.

Another important aspect of this news stems from another La Canfora tweet regarding the end of each individual's suspension.

Goodell took a strong disciplinary stance from the get-go and is not wavering. 

Really, he shouldn't. 

I know Gregg Williams has been the biggest target in this bounty scandal, especially after the audio of one of his pregame speeches was released last week, but Payton and Loomis were in prominent team positions and needed to know this was happening and demand it be stopped. 

They didn't.

With the added emphasis on player safety over the last few seasons, this is a huge black eye for the league and lessening the punishment would have sent a contradictory message to the NFL, its players and fans.

We weren't expecting Goodell to go easy on the Saints' employees by reducing their suspensions, and he didn't.

And this was the correct decision by the commissioner.


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