NEW ORLEANS – Suspended New Orleans Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma filed a defamation lawsuit Thursday against NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, claiming the league’s top executive made false statements that tarnished Vilma’s reputation and hindered his ability to earn a living playing football.
The suit in U.S. District Court in New Orleans claims Goodell “relied on, at best, hearsay, circumstantial evidence and lies” in making comments about Vilma while discussing the NFL’s bounty investigation of the New Orleans Saints.
Goodell has said Vilma was a leader of the team’s bounty program that put up thousands of dollars for hits that took out opposing teams’ star players from 2009-11, including $10,000 each on then-Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner and then-Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre during the playoffs in 2010.
RAIDERS: Linebacker Rolando McClain was sentenced to 180 days in jail for assault and other charge.
It stemmed from a fight in his hometown, Decatur, Ala., when McClain allegedly threatened to kill a man and fired a gun next to his head.
Municipal Judge Bill Cook convicted McClain, 22, of third-degree assault, menacing, reckless endangerment and discharging a firearm in the city limits.
BUCCANEERS: Tampa Bay signed place-kicker Connor Barth to a four-year, $13.2 million contract.
Copy the Story LinkSend questions/comments to the editors.
Success. Please wait for the page to reload. If the page does not reload within 5 seconds, please refresh the page.
Enter your email and password to access comments.
Hi, to comment on stories you must . This profile is in addition to your subscription and website login.
Already have a commenting profile? .
Invalid username/password.
Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration.
Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.
Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.