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Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Ex-Saint admits presence at bounty-hunting rant

By: Tom Withers

Posted: 06/6/2012 1:00 AM | Comments: 0

Scott Fujita (CP)

BEREA, Ohio -- Browns linebacker Scott Fujita admitted being in the New Orleans locker-room when former defensive co-ordinator Gregg Williams delivered his brutal pre-game speech imploring the Saints to target players.

Fujita said Tuesday he was escorting former teammate Steve Gleason, who has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), in San Francisco last January when they attended New Orleans' playoff game against the 49ers.

Fujita, who has been suspended three games by the NFL for his role in the Saints' bounty program, had not previously mentioned witnessing Williams' vicious rant, which became public after it was released by a documentary filmmaker.

Fujita reiterated he feels Williams' comments were "highly inappropriate. I'm not proud of things that were said by Gregg Williams, and at the same time, he's a man I respect and loved playing for, so there's definitely a conflict with all that," Fujita said after the Browns opened their three-day minicamp.

Fujita was with the Saints from 2006-09 before he signed as a free agent with Cleveland. He has appealed his suspension, but Monday's ruling by an arbitrator that commissioner Roger Goodell has the authority to discipline players for their part in the pay-for-hits program was a blow to his chances of getting his penalty reduced.

"It's certainly disappointing, but this is a part of the process," he said. "You've just got to be patient and respect that process and just keep hoping for a positive outcome."

Fujita has maintained he never contributed money to the Saints' pool since being implicated in the scandal along with three other suspended players: linebacker Jonathan Vilma, defensive end Anthony Hargrove, now with Green Bay, and Saints defensive end Will Smith.

Vilma, who has been suspended for all of next season, has filed a defamation lawsuit against Goodell.

Fujita is trying to remain upbeat during a personally challenging period when his reputation as an advocate for player safety has been questioned. The 32-year-old serves as an executive member for the NFLPA, a position he has no plans of leaving.

"I accept that responsibility," he said. "I was nominated a few years ago for a reason. I wanted to be a part of that culture change and help in pushing forward more health and safety measures, getting new benefits for the players, and I take that seriously. I can't walk away from the players on that."

Fujita acknowledged the past few months have taken a toll on him, but he has no immediate plans to retire.

-- The Associated Press

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition June 6, 2012 C4

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