Vilma Exits Bounty Appeals Hearing As NFLPA Criticizes Process

Saints LB Jonathan Vilma left today's appeals hearing with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after about an hour, "denying he had a role" in the Saints' bounty program "and saying the process is unfair." Vilma's attorney, Peter Ginsberg, said that the NFL "requested an adjournment to Monday afternoon, but he and Vilma refused." Ginsberg called the hearing "a sham." The three other players involved – Will Smith, Anthony Hargrove and Scott Fujita – "were at NFL headquarters to have their appeals heard" this afternoon (AP, 6/18).

Meanwhile, NFLPA outside counsel Richard Smith issued a statement saying the league "ran a sloppy investigation." Smith: "At a time when some question the safety and integrity of the game, the failure by those charged to act responsibly and fairly have challenged our collective faith and confidence in the league" (THE DAILY).