Sports fans and athletes are oft to invoke the old adage
'what happens on the field, stays on the field'. But some actions are so egregious that the criminal law is inevitably thrown into the mix.
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| Gregg Williams, the man at the centre of Bountygate (Image: USA Today |
Take the recently uncovered 'Bountygate' scandal in the National Football League. The NFL has begun a
serious investigation into allegations that over the past few seasons coaches for the New Orleans Saints have employed a bounty system, rewarding thousand-dollar sums for hits that cause significant injury to opposing players. For example, "knockouts" were worth $1500, while "cartoffs" were valued at $1000, with premiums added during playoff games. The Defensive Coordinator in charge of the bounty system has since admitted to and apologized for the bounties.
The League, as one would hope, will undoubtedly charge significant fines and apply lengthy suspensions to any players, coaches and management caught up in the scandal. Considering the League's recent focus on head injuries, these penalties may be especially punishing. But the penalties may come from beyond the league.
