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Saints Bounty Program Illustrative of Legal Issues Involving Sports Injuries

Posted by Christopher Shumate | Dec 17, 2012 | 0 Comments

On March 21, 2012, the NFL suspended New Orleans Saints' head coach, as well as fined the team $500,000 for a bounty program the team advocated. From 2009-2012, the Saints operated the bounty program by offering cash to Saints players who injured their opponents. Twenty-two of twenty-seven defensive players were involved in the bounty program, which paid up to $1,500 for some hits during regular season play. Some players who were particularly targeted were Brett Favre, Aaron Rodgers, Kurt Warner, and Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton who plays here in Charlotte.

The NFL began its investigation in 2010, but the Saints misled the league during the initial investigation, prolonging the NFL's ruling. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell stated in a press conference the Saints' conduct will not be condoned, and the NFL will not tolerate the deliberate targeting of players. Commissioner Goodell has assured the NFL, as well as the public, that player safety is the primary concern of the NFL, which prompted the investigation.

About the Author

Christopher Shumate

Mr. Chris Shumate is a native of Gastonia, North Carolina, and worked various jobs while pursuing his undergraduate and Juris Doctor education, including several heavy manual labor and skilled trade positions. In his practice, Mr. Shumate often encounters circumstances where these prior experiences are helpful in representing you. Upon graduating law school from the University of South Carolina, Mr. Shumate joined one of the Carolinas' larger defense firms, where he represented a diverse set of employers and insurance companies in civil cases and workers' compensation claims across the Carolinas. Chris utilized this experience to obtain a working knowledge of the insurance industry, and build personal contacts used today in representing you. Mr. Shumate ultimately decided he wanted to focus his law practice on assisting those who have been injured, and doing so with the focus on a personal relationship that is uncommon in the bigger firms. Mr. Shumate's also has a passion for assisting those facing the challenges of the criminal legal system. By representing individuals in a variety of criminal and traffic matters, Mr. Shumate works to achieve the best possible result for each client regardless of the charges levied by the prosecution. Chris has tirelessly pursued his mission of helping people from all walks of life throughout the Carolinas with a variety of legal matters. If you are interested in learning more about Chris Shumate and The Shumate Law Offices, please contact us at 704.371.5059. We look forward to assisting you to achieve a positive result in your legal concern. Education J.D., University of South Carolina B.S., University of South Carolina Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice N.C. State BarS.C. State BarU.S. District Court Western District of North Carolina Professional & Bar Association Memberships N.C. Bar Association S.C. Bar Association Mecklenburg County Bar N.C. Academy Of Trial Lawyers American Association For Justice

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