[SmootSmack]

“We are all accountable and responsible for player health and safety and the integrity of the game,” Commissioner Goodell said. “We will not tolerate conduct or a culture that undermines those priorities. No one is above the game or the rules that govern it. Respect for the game and the people who participate in it will not be compromised.”

“A combination of elements made this matter particularly unusual and egregious,” Commissioner Goodell continued. “When there is targeting of players for injury and cash rewards over a three-year period, the involvement of the coaching staff, and three years of denials and willful disrespect of the rules, a strong and lasting message must be sent that such conduct is totally unacceptable and has no place in the game.”

The really key element as we talked about before (and what separates this in a big way from SpyGate) is that the Saints denied this for 3 years. Confronted, denied. Confronted again, admitted said they would do something about it...did nothing. Saints could have avoided harsher punishment had they admitted right away