The NFL has doled out more punishment over the New Orleans Saints' bounty scandal, suspending four players for their roles in the pay-for-pain scheme, including a season-long ban for current Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma.
According to the National Football League, the players were banned for taking leadership roles in a program that gave cash rewards for knocking opponents out of games from 2009-2011 and is believed to have included between 22 and 27 players.
The scandal has already led to heavy punishment for the Saints franchise, including a season-long suspension for head coach Sean Payton, eight games for general manger Mickey Loomis and six games for assistant Joey Vitt.
Former Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams was also suspended indefinitely.
The Saints were also fined half a million dollars and forfeited a second-round draft pick in 2012 and 2013.
