Smith, Vilma suspensions overturned, eligible for Sunday game; coaches still out
Sep 07, 2012 | 4568 views | 0 0 comments | 25 25 recommendations | email to a friend | print
NEW ORLEANS – News agencies report that two suspended New Orleans Saints players had their suspensions unanimously overturned on Friday, two days before the team opes to open its 2012 season against the Washington Redskins.

A collective bargaining panel overturned the season-long suspension of linebacker Jonathan Vilma and the four-game suspension of defensive end Will Smith.

The three-game suspension of Cleveland Browns linebacker Scott Fujita and eight-game band for free agent defensive end Anthony Hargrove have also been lifted.

The NFL said the players are reinstated and are immediately eligible to play in Week 1. They were suspended in May for alleged roles in a system that put bounties on injuries to opposing players, including quarterbacks Kurt Warner and Brett Favre. Vilma was said to have put up $10,000 of his own money to get both QBs out of playoff games.

He denied the accusations and defended himself after the suspensions.

Initial appeals to Goodell were dismissed weeks later.

Suspensions for coaches Sean Payton, Gregg Williams and Joe Vitt and general manager Mickey Loomis are still active. The coaches weren't eligible for a collective bargaining panel.
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