The NFL has hit the New Orleans Saints hard for what's Bounty-Gate. An internal investigation revealed that coach Sean Payton and general manager Mickey Loomis were aware of, and failed to put a stop to, a bounty program overseen by defensive coordinator Gregg Williams. Players put up their own money to reward those who managed to injure opponents during games.
"The NFL announced Wednesday that New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton will be suspended for one season without pay for his involvement in the team's bounty program. Saints general manager Mickey Loomis has been suspended for eight games. Former defensive coordinator Gregg Williams has been suspended indefinitely.
The team has also been fined $500,000 and will have to give up its second-round picks in the 2012 and 2013 NFL Drafts."
According to the Associated Press, there have been 29 suspensions for a year or more:
Life - Art Schlichter, Indianapolis, gambling, suspended for one year on June 1983. Was released following the 1985 season; pleaded guilty to an illegal gambling charge April 1, 1987. NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle did not reinstate after Schlichter applied for permission to re-sign.
Life - Stanley Wilson, Cincinnati, substance abuse, suspended Jan. 22, 1989; permanently banned May 15, 1989.
Life - Earl Ferrell, Phoenix, 1990, substance abuse, voluntarily retired.
Life (reinstated after 1 year) - Dexter Manley, Washington, substance abuse, Nov. 18, 1989.
Life (reinstated after 1 year) - Frank Warren, New Orleans, substance abuse, April 13, 1990.
Life (reinstated after 1 year) - Terry Taylor, Detroit, substance abuse, Sept. 20, 1990.
Two years - Tony Collins, Indianapolis, substance abuse, Aug. 13, 1988-July 11, 1990.
Two years - R. Jay Soward, Jacksonville, substance abuse (four games), June 8, 2001; extended another six games Oct. 10, 2001 by NFL. Then Jaguars suspended him for four games, personal conduct, Dec. 7, 2001. Suspended for the next season Jan. 9, 2002.
1 year, 10 months - Darrell Russell, Oakland, substance abuse, Jan. 2, 2002-Oct. 28, 2003. Suspended indefinitely July 26, 2004 for substance abuse, two weeks after cut by Tampa Bay.
1 1/2 years - Stanley Wilson, Cincinnati, substance abuse, Oct. 30, 1984-May 8, 1986.
1 1/2 years - Dale Carter, Denver, substance abuse, April 25, 2000-Nov. 7, 2001.
16 games - Leon Lett, Dallas, substance abuse, final three games of 1996 and the following season, Dec. 3, 1996.
1 year - Paul Hornung, Green Bay, gambling, 1963 season.
1 year - Alex Karas, Detroit, gambling, 1963 season.
1 year - Mike Reilly, L.A. Rams, substance abuse, 1983.
1 year - Stanley Wilson, Cincinnati, substance abuse, June 24, 1987 (served 10 months).
1 year - Tim Worley, Pittsburgh, substance abuse, April 29, 1992.
1 year - Chuck Levy, Arizona, substance abuse, Aug. 25, 1995.
1 year - Carlton Haselrig, N.Y. Jets, substance abuse, Nov. 27, 1995.
1 year - Roosevelt Potts, Indianapolis, substance abuse, Aug. 20, 1996.
1 year - Larry Webster, Baltimore, substance abuse, Aug. 20, 1996.
1 year - Josh Evans, Tennessee, substance abuse, June 20, 2000.
1 year - Tyrone Robertson, Buffalo, substance abuse, Dec. 10, 2002.
1 year - Onterrio Smith, Minnesota, substance abuse, June 7, 2005.
1 year - Kendyll Pope, Indianapolis, substance abuse, Aug. 31, 2005.
1 year - Ricky Williams, Miami, substance abuse, April 25, 2006.
1 year - Odell Thurman, Cincinnati, substance abuse (four games), July 26, 2006; extended for one year Sept. 27, following his arrest on a drunken-driving charge.
1 year - Koren Robinson, Green Bay, substance abuse, Oct. 17, 2006.
1 year - Adam "Pacman" Jones, Tennessee, personal conduct, April 10, 2007.
Following 2007, when that report was published, there has been one indefinite suspension (Johnny Jolly), as far as we can tell.
No coach has ever been suspended for a year.