Four NFL players who had been suspended for their participation in a “bounty” program with the New Orleans Saints had those suspensions overturned by a collective bargaining agreement appeals panel on Friday. The Saints’ program had paid bonuses for hits that injured opposing players. According to NFL.com, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell can re-suspend the players if he can prove they intended to injure players.
“Consistent with the panel’s decision, Commissioner Goodell will, as directed, make an expedited determination of the discipline imposed for violating the league’s pay-for-performance/bounty rule,” NFL Players Association spokesman George Atallah said in a statement. “Until that determination is made, the four players are reinstated and eligible to play starting this weekend.”
