New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton was suspended for a full season over his role in the “Bountygate” scandal, but he claims that the NFL wanted much more than that.
In an interview with ‘In Depth with Graham Bensinger,’ Payton said that former Saints owner Tom Benson had told Payton that two other league owners had called encouraging the owner to fire the coach — which Payton believes was a directive straight from the league office.
“When you say a year and you’re not able to talk to any coach and you’re not able to talk to any other player and you know that the league office actually contacted two other owners to talk to Mr. Benson about finding a way to have you fired,” Payton said, via John Breech of CBS Sports. “Like, they are trying to break you.”
Payton ended up serving a suspension during the 2012 season, but kept his job and remains coach of the Saints. The whole episode clearly sparked some bitterness toward the league office that doesn’t seem to have entirely disappeared in New Orleans.
