NFL

Today In Bountygate: Sean Payton’s Friend Who Sent Incriminating Email Says It Was All A Joke

As the case of the NFL players suspended in the wake of the New Orleans Saints’ bounty scandal against NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell continues to heat up, today brought a new twist to “Bountygate.”

Part of the evidence Goodell will present against the players includes emails exchanged between Sean Payton–the suspended coach of the Saints–and Mike Ornstein (Payton’s close friend), in which Ornstein allegedly offered bounties for damaging hits.

But Ornstein is now calling those emails “jokes.”

Per ESPN:

…according to multiple sources familiar with the situation, Ornstein insisted his emails were jokes, and he unsuccessfully attempted to convince NFL commissioner Roger Goodell of this during their conversations.

This is certainly a curveball in the bounty scandal. Also from ESPN is this text allegedly sent from suspended former Saints’ defensive coordinator Greg Williams to Ornstein.

“I stood up for you & told them just that. I told them we never took that (stuff) serious. I never ever saw you ever give $ and that’s just the truth.”

Talk about an interesting defensive formation by the Saints. The good old, “oh, it was a joking email,” speech. Like when you send a girl something she doesn’t jive with, and then you quickly double text, “LOL, jk,” only we’re talking about grown men being paid to injure other grown men.

But it does raise an interesting question–can anything that’s disseminated via an email be taken seriously? Does an email constitute premediation, or intent, or anything that can be used in legal proceedings?

It all goes back to however you interpret the seriousness of emails. We’re all prone to sending messages that we wouldn’t necessarily carry out, or that describe things we wouldn’t do in person. It’s human nature. BUT, sending an email offering up money to hurt an opposing player is a little different. Your move, Goodell.

[Via ESPN]

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