New Orleans Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma, who was come down on harshly by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell when he was suspended for the entire 2012 season without pay for his part in the teams bounty scandal, has decided to bring a lawsuit against Goodell for defamation of character.
ESPN's Adam Schefter tweeted this earlier:
Saints LB Jonathan Vilma is suing NFL commissioner Roger Goodell for defamation. Lawsuit was filed today, and it's at ESPN.com
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 17, 2012
Goodell singled out Vilma as being the leader of the alleged bounty scandal and Vilma has since maintained his innocence. Saints Head Coach Sean Payton, like Vilma, was also suspended for the year without pay.
The NFL Players Union headed by Executive Director DeMaurice Smith is appealing the suspensions to Vilma, Anthony Hargrove (eight games), Will Smith (four games) and Scott Fujita (three games).
For more on the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons, check out SB Nation's NFL page, The Falcoholic and Canal Street Chronicles.