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FILE - This Oct. 21, 2012 file photo shows New Orleans Saints football linebacker Jonathan Vilma (51) running onto the field in Tampa, Fla., Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012. Former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue and lawyers for the league and the players' union have arrived in Washington, Thursday for a hearing in the Saints bounties case. Tagliabue is overseeing the latest round of player appeals in Washington. Vilma and fellow player Will Smith, who were suspended said they plan to attend. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File) |
Saints' Vilma, Smith attend Williams hearing
By By HOWARD FENDRICH
AP Pro Football Writer /
November 30, 2012
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WASHINGTON (AP) — New Orleans Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma and defensive lineman Will Smith are attending a hearing in their appeals of bounties suspensions.
Former Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams is scheduled to testify Friday.
Vilma and Smith traveled to Washington after playing in New Orleans’ 23-13 loss at Atlanta on Thursday night.
Neither player was required to attend Friday, but Smith said this week that ‘‘part of the things that we wanted all along was to face our accusers.’’
The players’ lawyers have the chance to cross-examine Williams as part of the appeals process overseen by former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue.
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