NFLPA Claims Saints Employees Fear Retribution For 'Bounty' Testimony

[SteveRobWhatever]

As lawyers for the four suspended current and former New Orleans Saints players await evidence from the NFL on Friday that will -- at the least -- outline the league's position heading into Monday's appeals hearings, the NFL Players Association sent a letter to the league Thursday claiming current, former or suspended team employees fear "retribution" from the NFL if they provide truthful testimony into the "bounty" scandal. Those witnesses' fears could be alleviated should the NFL compel them to attend the appeal hearings and testify, according to a letter sent from the NFLPA's legal counsel to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, who will hear the player appeals. The NFL declined to comment Friday on the NFLPA's requests and its claim that witnesses feared retribution. In a June 11 letter to Goodell, the NFLPA requested that Saints coach Sean Payton, general manager Mickey Loomis, assistant head coach Joe Vitt, former defensive coordinator Gregg Williams (all have been suspended for various roles in the "bounty" program) appear and testify at the appeals hearing. Four others -- including two members of NFL security, Joe Hummel and Jeff Miller -- also were requested to attend and testify.

Source: NFL.com