Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-US PRESSWIRE
Formerly suspended New Orleans Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma met with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell today and was presented with some troubling documents that harshly discredit his argument that he was innocent in the bounty gate scandal.
Goodell and the NFL presented a sworn affidavit from former Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams that stated that Vilma had put out a $10,000 bounty on Brett Favre in the 2008 NFC Championship game against the Minnesota Vikings. Othe Saints players are set to meet with Goodell and the NFL tomorrow.
“We appreciate Jonathan Vilma taking the time to meet today and look forward to seeing the other players tomorrow,” NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said.
Vilma said that today’s meeting was meant to start over in terms of the relationship between the NFLPA and the NFL, but he adamantly denied the allegations against him that he put out a bounty on Favre.
The nfl has 1 affidavit saying i did it. I have NINE saying i didnt. Do the math. Hush haters.
— Jonathan Vilma (@JonVilma51) September 18, 2012
He also added another tweet claiming the NFL is desperately trying to fabricate evidence against him.
You obviously want me to be guilty if you cant see that gregg was bullied to sign the affidavit. He signed 3days ago! #weakattempt
— Jonathan Vilma (@JonVilma51) September 18, 2012
This clearly isn’t a debate that is over, but Vilma is standing strong in his stance that he is innocent and he’s actually bluntly accusing the NFL of fabricating evidence against him which if proven true would send shockwaves around the league and cause some serious issues in terms of relations between the NFL and NFLPA.
More details will be released on this story as the two sides continue to meet, but it’s clear that this mess is far form over and the relationship between the NFL and the NFLPA is seriously in jeapordy.
