Maybe Kurt Warner wasn’t so crazy to retire after that playoff game in
2010. Not if a stunning report released Friday proves to be true.
An
NFL investigation found that former New Orleans Saints defensive
coordinator Gregg Williams administered a "bounty" program from 2009-11,
funded primarily by players. Between 22 and 27 Saints defensive players
(as well as Williams) were involved, a violation of NFL rules.
Among the more sickening points laid out in the report:
Players were paid $1,500 for a knockout and $1,000 for a "cart-off" — and the payouts would double or triple come playoff time.
The
investigation by the league's security department determined that an
improper "pay for performance" program included "bounty" payments to
players for inflicting injuries on opposing players that would result in
them being removed from a game. One of the games in question was
Warner’s final game with the Cardinals before his retirement, an NFC
Divisional Round playoff game against the Saints in New Orleans.
In
that game, Warner was knocked out of the game (he later returned) on a
big hit from Saints defensive end Bobby McCray after he threw an
interception, and he showed concussion-like symptoms afterward.
Warner
has hinted that concerns for his long-term health played a role in his
decision to retire after that game. He told KTAR 620 AM on Friday that
the report was "disappointing, but I won't say I'm completely
surprised," although he emphasized that McCray’s hit was within the
rules at the time.
Asked if that game led him to retire, Warner
said: "It was a nice exclamation point on it, but I had known well into
that season."
The NFL said it began its investigation based on information that Warner and then-Vikings quarterback Brett Favre had been specifically targeted.
