Athanasios Armenis
Journal Staff

The fleur-de-lis is an elegant flower that dates back to the earliest rulers of France. Its conjugation translates to “flowers of the lily,” as the three leaves that form from the bottom of the stem signify “perfection, light and life.”

Now what does the fleur-de-lis have in common with the National Football League? Well the eye-striking lily is currently used as the logo for the lightning quick, bang their helmets, do everything the right way, New Orleans Saints.

The Saints have prided themselves as an organization that strives for perfection, especially after Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005. The football team was able to provide a light at the end of the tunnel for people who never thought they’d make it through the natural disasters that destroyed their city.

The y provided immediate life to a community that used football as its gateway to happiness.

Leaders emerged, such as Head Coach Sean Payton, whose goal was to bring the city of New Orleans a Vince Lombardi trophy. Superstars such as Jonathon Vilma contributed major roles in helping lead the Saints knock out the Arizona Cardinals, Minnesota Vikings, and Indianapolis Colts on their road to their first ever Super Bowl title.

And “knock out” they did.

First it was Kurt Warner in the divisional round, followed by Brett Favre in the AFC Championship and finally Peyton Manning in the Super Bowl. The Saints were crowned champions and on top of the world, right?

Three years later: a few leaked reports and all of a sudden the Saints find themselves in the doghouse.

After an investigation from Commissioner Roger Goodell, the Saints were found to be implementing a “bounty” system, where players were being paid bonuses for hard hits and deliberately injuring opposing players. Unlike bonuses where players could be rewarded for fumbles, interceptions, or various game-changing plays, pre-negotiated in their contracts, the system was intentionally malicious and promoted violence.

To make matters worse, “Bounty Gate,” according to NFL reports, began in 2009, the same season the Saints won the Super Bowl and lasted until 2011 where 22 to 27 Saints players allegedly participated in the program.

“It’s a violation of a very serious rule,” announced Goodell. “We have made player health and safety very clear as a priority. I have addressed it with owners, head coaches, general managers and all of our personnel several times a year.”

Head Coach Sean Payton, Assistant Coach Joe Vitt, General Manager Mickey Loomis, former Defensive Coordinator Greg Williams, all who allegedly initiated the bounty system, along with the Saints organizations as whole, were buried in fines, losses of draft picks, and suspensions heading into next season.

Payton received a season-long suspension for the 2012-2013 season, while Vitt finds himself on the hook for six games. Loomis received an eight game punishment from Goodell while former Saints defensive coordinator Williams has been suspended from the league indefinitely.

The Saints were fined $500,000 and stripped of 2012 and 2013 second-round draft picks.

“I share and fully support the league’s concerns and goals on player safety,” Payton announced in a written statement released by the organization. “It is, and should be, paramount.”

The punishments handed down by Goodell loudly sets the tone as the commissioner and the NFL have received more than 1,000 lawsuits in the most recent months by former players who have suffered from post-career injuries.

“It is something that has zero tolerance in the NFL,” Goodell said after issuing the repercussions.
The Saints, who were knocked out of the playoffs by San Francisco in the divisional round last season, possibly find themselves in deeper waters, as the NFL’s player investigation has yet to finish.

In a recent report, Saints defensive captain and star linebacker Jonathon Vilma allegedly put out a $10,000 bounty, in cash, to knock out then-Vikings quarterback Brett Favre out of the NFC championship game.

Vilma has yet to been suspended.

The Saints organization finds itself in a sticky situation as their off-season has been filled with turmoil and disappointment. Without a head coach, general manager and possibly their best player on defense, New Orleans very well could be an afterthought.