National Football League

Did Gibbs know of bounties with 'Skins?

Published Mar. 7, 2012 12:00 a.m. ET

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A former Redskins offensive lineman who played for Joe Gibbs decades ago claims the Hall of Fame head coach must have known Gregg Williams was running a bounty system in Washington.

"That's just too stupid. Of course he knew," George Starke told ESPN 980 after being asked about Gibbs denying any knowledge of Williams' bounty program being in place while the two were in Washington from 2004-07.

Williams, who has since apologized, is facing a severe penalty from the NFL for paying New Orleans Saints players cash bonuses for knocking opponents out of the game over the past three seasons.

Former Redskins defensive assistant Greg Blache, along with former Redskins players, have said Williams (Redskins defensive coordinator from 2004-07) also offered the payments during his years in Washington. But Gibbs has denied having any knowledge of Williams' scheme.

"I would never ask a player to hurt another player. Never," Gibbs told The Washington Post last week.

Blache, who said he nixed the program when he took over as defensive coordinator in 2007, backed up the assertion, saying the three-time Super Bowl-winning coach was not aware of what was going on.

Starke, one of the original members of the legendary Redskins offensive lines known as "The Hogs," said Gibbs used to hand cash to players in the 1980s to reward big plays, though he maintained those payments were never expressly linked to injuries.

"In Joe Gibbs' case, he handed out hundred-dollar bills. He'd come into meetings, he'd have a couple thousand dollars in hundreds," Starke said.

Gibbs admitted as much to The Post, backing up numerous other claims that players receiving cash bonuses from coaches has long been a part of the NFL.

"In my first stint coaching the Redskins, we did have an incentive program in place to recognize the guys for outstanding plays made within the rules of the game," Gibbs said.

"Back then there was no salary cap and the incentive program we used was within the league rules. We had all kinds of incentives, including dinners at local restaurants, radios, the chance to sit in a lazy-boy recliner during team meetings and cash rewards."

Starke said the practice went as far back as his early days with the Redskins under Hall of Famer George Allen in the late '70s.

"In the George Allen days it was appliances, and all the local businesses would give you watches or clock radios," Starke said.

"I had a zillion watches and clock radios. I didn't know what to do with them. Every team has different ways of motivating their players, and every team gives out stuff. Local businesses would donate stuff to the Redskins, and then George and the coaches would decide in the first meeting after the game who got what based on a big hit, big catch, big run, that kind of stuff."

NFL rules now prohibit the payments, and the Saints are expected to receive a severe punishment, including possible fines, suspensions and forfeiture of draft picks.

The NFL said its investigation found Saints head coach Sean Payton and general manager Mickey Loomis were aware of the bounty system and allowed it to continue.

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