Sports
Highland Grad Joe Vitt Among Suspended in Saints' Bounty Scandal
The NFL's sanctions against the New Orleans Saints include a six-game suspension for the assistant head coach from Highland.
The New Orleans Saints' bounty scandal includes a man with a local connection, based on the suspensions and other disciplinary action handed down by the NFL on Wednesday, according to ESPN.
Joe Vitt, a Highland Regional High School graduate and top assistant on Sean Payton's staff, was suspended six games and fined $100,000 for his role in the bounty program, which included off-the-books payments to Saints defensive players who intentionally injured opponents.
The NFL has suspended Payton for the entire season and general manager Mickey Loomis for eight games, according to ESPN, in addition to team penalties that include a fine and loss of draft picks.
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Former Saints defensive coordinator Greg Williams, who reportedly orchestrated the bounty program in New Orleans, has been suspended indefinitely. Williams left New Orleans in the offseason to take the same job with the St. Louis Rams.
The suspensions are without pay. According to ESPN, Payton's suspension will cost him $7.5 million in salary and Williams' at least $2 million.
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