Political Quotes

“Mr. President, I rise to speak about a disturbing disclosure made recently by the National Football League. Their investigation revealed that the New Orleans Saints had allegedly been operating an illegal ``bounty'' program. Under this bounty program, players were reportedly given significant sums of money in direct exchange for intentionally injuring opposing players, disabling them, and for having them carried off the field in an ambulance. According to reports, compensation started at $1,000 for causing an opponent to be ``carried off'' the field. This was called a ``cart- off.'' The price was $1,500 for causing an opponent to be unable to continue the game. This was known as a ``knockout.'' These ``bounties'' reportedly reached high sums of money, as large as $10,000 and even $50,000. What is even more troubling is that reports suggest that these bounty systems might have reached far beyond the New Orleans Saints. Reports surfacing as a result of the NFL's investigation have indicated that other teams may have also been engaged in this practice. One former professional football player recently tweeted: Why is this a big deal now? Bounties have been going on forever. Another stated: Prices were set on Saturday nights in the team hotel. . . . We laid our bounties on opposing players. We targeted big names, our sights set on taking them out of the game. Let me tell you why this is important and reprehensible.…”