Bounty vs. Protection Money: What's the Difference and Are Both Wrong?

The NFL has deemed what the New Orleans Saints did as a "bounty." Former Minnesota Vikings receiver Cris Carter said he was just protecting himself and his career. 

Though there might be a slight interpretive difference, both are totally wrong and don't belong in the NFL or any professional sport. 

Period. 

This morning on SportsCenter, Carter tried to put a positive spin on what technically wasn't a bounty system, but it sure sounded like one.

He explained a scenario in which teammates provided on-field protection by delivering hits on opposing players in exchange for payment or financial favors. 

He called it "protection money."

On the Hill and Schlereth radio show, Carter said the following regarding his "bounty system." (h/t ESPN):

"I put bounties on guys. If a guy tries to take me out, a guy takes a cheap shot on me? I put a bounty on him right now!"

Hasn't he ever heard that two wrongs don't make a right? 

I understand that players openly state they're trying to injure players when they're on the field. Guys probably try to get inside their opponent's head on every down. I get that coaches will stop at nothing to gain a competitive edge, whether it's physical, mental or physiological. 

However, just because bounty systems or variations of Carter's "protection plan" apparently exist doesn't mean they're justified.

Whether it's coming from a ferociously aggressive defensive coordinator doing whatever he can to mask schematic deficiencies, a middle linebacker trying to impose his will on a big game or a player responding to some pregame trash talk, it's not right. 

At their root, bounties and protection plans are the same.

And are equally wrong. 

Follow @ChrisTrapasso