Big news on Friday as the Burbank appeals panel overturned the suspensions of the four New Orleans Saints suspended for their roles in the bounty scandal. In summation, it means that Jonathan Vilma, Will Smith, Scott Fujita and Anthony Hargrove will be reinstated immediately.
Vilma, who is facing a season-long suspension, tweeted: “Victory is mine!!!! -stewie griffin …”
Fujita, now with the Cleveland Browns was facing a three games suspension, while Saints defensive end Will Smith was facing a four-game suspension. Former Saint Anthony Hargrove was suspended for eight games but he is currently a free agent.
The panel reportedly remanded the case back to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell for redetermination of appropriate penalties.
Several Pittsburgh Steelers players have chimed in on Twitter after the report surfaced. Linebacker James Harrison simply retweeted the Vilma tweet, while safety Ryan Clark tweeted: “I see you Saints!”
https://twitter.com/RealRClark25/status/244164788110909440
The ruling now means that all four players are currently reinstated but there is still a possibility that they could face discipline down the line. As far as what the ruling means to coaches Sean Payton, Mickey Loomis, Joe Vitt, and Gregg Williams, they\’re suspensions still stick.
For now it appears that the players have won and Goodell has lost.
