Saints' Jonathan Vilma defamation suit vs. Roger Goodell dismissed

Saints LB Jonathan Vilma's defamation lawsuit against Roger Goodell was dismissed. (US Presswire)

A defamation lawsuit filed by New Orleans Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma against NFL commissioner Roger Goodell was dismissed on Thursday afternoon by U.S. District Court judge Helen Berrigan.

The ruling effectively ends most of the litigation in the Bountygate scandal, according to Tulane University law professor Gabe Feldman.

“While the Court is extremely disturbed by the fundamental lack of due process in (Commissioner) Goodell's denying the players the identities and the right to confront their accusers, that was substantially rectified later in the process,” Judge Berrigan said.

Vilma moved forward with the lawsuit in mid-December, a day after his season-long suspension was overturned by former NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue. Vilma initially filed the defamation claims against Goodell in May. Vilma, who appeared in 11 games in 2012, had 37 tackles and a sack.

"Even though matter has been pending only since May, it feels as protracted and painful as (the) Saints season itself, and calls for closure,” Judge Berrigan added.

Commissioner Goodell has yet to issue a statement on the ruling, NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said in a statement.

For more NFL news, rumors and analysis, follow @EyeOnNFL on Twitter, subscribe to our RSS Feed, watch Pro Football 360 daily at 3 p.m. ET and NFL newsletter. You can also follow Matt Rybaltowski @mattrybaltowski.