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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

NFL suspends Payton for entire 2012 season

Defensive coordinator out undefinitely for bounty program

The NFL has suspended New Orleans head coach Sean Payton, left, for the 2012 season, and former Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, right,  is banned from the league indefinitely because of the team's bounty program that targeted opposing players. Also Wednesday, March 21, 2012, Goodell suspended Saints general manager Mickey Loomis for the first eight regular-season games of 2012, and assistant coach Joe Vitt has to sit out the first six games. (Associated Press)
Associated Press
The NFL has suspended New Orleans head coach Sean Payton for the 2012 season, and former Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams is banned from the league indefinitely because of the team’s bounty program that targeted opposing players. Commissioner Roger Goodell will review Williams’ status after the upcoming season and consider whether he can return to the league. Also Wednesday, Goodell suspended Saints general manager Mickey Loomis for the first eight regular-season games of 2012, and assistant coach Joe Vitt has to sit out the first six games. In addition, the Saints are being fined $500,000 and forfeit second-round draft picks this year and in 2013.