Add Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers to the list of current and former NFL players who have criticized the New Orleans Saints for the bounty program they ran through the 2009-11 seasons.
In a recent interview with Jim Rome of CBS Sports Network (h/t Milwaukee Journal Sentinel), the 2011 league MVP said the following about the Saints' bounty program:
"When you play this game you realize how violent it is and you also realize as a quarterback that the defense is trying to take shots and either rattle you a little bit to get you out of your rhythm or take you out of the game if they can," Rodgers said. "However, I think the line is drawn when people knowingly take money for hits that cause injuries to another player. I think that’s when the line gets crossed."
Rodgers is absolutely right. The game is violent, and players will take shots at you—especially quarterbacks since they are so important to a team's success.
However, when guys step onto the field and take money from each other or coaches for injuring opposing players, there is a massive problem.
Football is already a physical game, and the normal level of violence already presents the risk for serious injury. The game doesn't need any more dirty play that puts players at risk for suffering career-ending injuries and ones that will affect them after their careers are over.
The bounty program resulted in several suspensions for Saints management, including a year-long suspension for head coach Sean Payton. The Saints players with involvement in the bounty program have not yet been punished by league commissioner Roger Goodell.
The Packers will play the Saints next season in Week 4 when they host New Orleans at Lambeau Field. Last year, the Packers beat the Saints in the opening game of the season.
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