Jonathan Vilma files defamation lawsuit vs. Roger Goodell in New Orleans federal court
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| Jonathan Vilma vs. Roger Goodell is a thing now. (US Presswire) |
The Saints bounty scandal -- and the resulting punishments -- took a personal turn on Thursday when Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma, suspended for the entire 2012 season by the NFL, filed a lawsuit against Roger Goodell, suing the NFL Commissioner for defamation.
CBSSports.com has obtained a copy of the lawsuit and, yes, it is simply "Jonathan Vilma v. Roger Goodell." Vilma alleges that Goodell in "speaking publicly" about the linebacker "made public statements concerning Vilma which were false, defamator and injurious" to Vilma's reputation.
"By this action, Vilma seeks to recover damages for defamatory statements made by Roger Goodell, Commissioner of the National Football League ('NFL')," the complaint reads. "Vilma is a professional football player for the New Orleans Saints ('Saints'), a Member Club of the NFL. Goodell, speaking publicly about certain Saints executives, coaches and players, in relation to purported efforts designed to injure opposing players, made public statements concerning Vilma which were false, defamatory and injurious to Vilma's professional and personal reputation."
As I've said before..I NEVER PAID, NOR INTENDED TO PAY ANY AMOUNT OF MONEY,TO ANY PLAYER FOR INTENTIONALLY HURTING AN OPPONENT.
— Jonathan Vilma (@JonVilma51) May 17, 2012
maybe this will get some people attention
— Jonathan Vilma (@JonVilma51) May 17, 2012
