Chances are you’ve heard of “Bounty Gate” by now. It’s the program started by former New Orleans Saints Defensive Coordinator Gregg Williams where he would pay his players various amounts, dependent upon the severity of the injury they inflicted. The aforementioned “bounty gate” resulted in Head Coach Sean Payton’s suspension from the NFL for one year, and Gregg Williams, now with the St. Louis Rams, was suspended indefinitely.
The Saints will also have to pay a $500,000 fine and will lose second-round picks in both the 2012 and 2013 NFL drafts. Below is what NFL commissioner Roger Goodell had to say on the matter:
“Beyond the clear and continuing violations of league rules, and lying to investigators, the bounty program is squarely contrary to the league’s most important initiatives – enhancing player health and safety and protecting the integrity of the game. Let me be clear. There is no place in the NFL for deliberately seeking to injure another player, let alone offering a reward for doing so. Any form of bounty is incompatible with our commitment to create a culture of sportsmanship, fairness, and safety.”
It’s been a popular question around New Orleans, and the NFL for that matter… “Who was the ‘Bounty Gate’ whistle-blower?”
According to former NFL player, and current analyst Warren Sapp, the snitch was former New Orleans Saints tight end Jeremy Shockey. Below you’ll find the awkward Twitter feud that erupted, and the young man who found himself caught in the middle:
Just Heard Who The Snitch Was
Shockey..? RT @QBKILLA: Just Heard Who The Snitch Was
BINGO! RT @elnicastro: Shockey..? RT QBKILLA: Just Heard Who The Snitch Was
@QBKILLA @elnicastro my ass!! I don’t even play defense! Haha
Man I just took a guess!! RT @JeremyShockey: @QBKILLA @elnicastro my ass!! I don’t even play defense! Haha
@QBKILLA really?? Wow did I also have something to do with the um scandal?
Any major networks that wants the truth pls let me know!!
The truth shall set u free!! Read the text http://t.co/b1S3bJ4K
Here is what Shockey was referring to when he said “The truth shall set u free!!”, it was a conversation he had with Sean Payton, via text message.
Others have suggested that Shockey could still be the guy, as his release from the Saints last season wasn’t amicable and this could’ve been how he got back at his former team. That’s all conjecture though, as no proof has came forward implicating Shockey… except for Sapp’s accusation. In reality NFL fans, NOLA fans in particular, should withhold their judgement of Shockey until concrete proof is provided if he was the “snitch”.
What are your thoughts on this matter? Let us know your thoughts in the comment field below.