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IRVING, Texas -- Roger Goodell won't say he's sorry.

Not to Jonathan Vilma or Will Smith, not to Anthony Hargrove or Scott Fujita.

In his first public comments since the suspensions for the four players linked to the New Orleans Saints bounty scandal were vacated by former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue, the current commissioner insisted that he doesn't owe anybody an apology.

"None of them should be feeling very good about themselves," Goodell said Wednesday, following a half-day NFL meeting at a resort hotel near Dallas. "It's clear that a (bounty program) occurred for three years, despite all of their denials."

NFL Players Association chief DeMaurice Smith suggested earlier Wednesday in an interview with CBS This Morning

that Goodell should apologize because the league's focus and punishment "maligned the character of the players."

Tagliabue, appointed by Goodell to rule on the players appeal of their suspensions, concurred that a bounty program existed. Yet Tagliabue differed sharply with Goodell on the punishment, concluding that the coaches and management figures that were disciplined -- including former defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, suspended indefinitely -- had the primary responsibility.
"My point of view is that I hold everyone responsible," Goodell said. "We have to have personal responsibility. … I fundamentally disagree that this is something that lies with coaches and management."

Despite Tuesday's ruling, Goodell still faces a defamation suit from Vilma, who drew a now-overturned one-season suspension that was the harshest of any player. Undoubtedly, Vilma's case will argue that the league engaged in selective discipline.

Read full article here:
USA TODAY

Saintswrath

This damn dude Goodell is a straight up *****-made ass--**!!!!!!

I can't stand people like him! He has no shame for his overreaction and unjustly harsh penalties which literally could kill a franchise! Benson should sue his ass or make him promise at least another 3-4 superbowls in the city in the next 6 years!

saintsfan1976

So who holds Goodell responsible for allowing such programs to continue, repeatedly - by numerous teams...?

Suck it Rog

dizzle88

Every person in New Orleans will hear about this

Doesn't bode well for goodell when he turns up at Super Bowl

SloMotion

"Never apologize ... your friends don't need it and your enemies won't believe it". ... and since Goodell probably doesn't have a motherf-ng friend in the world, I guess I can see where he's coming from,. Soulless bastard.

GeauxForMore

Guess we are not getting our 2nd round pick back........

st thomas

Bet a flu bug keeps him from attending superbowl.clearly the a hole targeted new orleans

stickman

Agreed. Don't know how this surprises anyone.

Marlboro Man

Hey roger, this is America, at least for a little while longer, and in America, you can't slander a person's name on conjecture or hearsay evidence. Therefore you do indeed owe these players, coaches and the Saints Organization a public apology. Also roger, while it's still America, people are presumed innocent until proven guilty by evidence not rumor or hearsay, not guilty until proven innocent. Get your head out of your arse roger and fess up you insignificant rodent.

TheOak

So... the article hasn't changed from December 13th?

We have gone through this before... a few weeks ago. no?