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Former New Orleans Saints linebacker and current Cleveland Brown Scott Fujita issued a statement that was less than thankful to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after Goodell lessened Fujita's suspension to one game for the linebacker's role in "Bounty Gate." Fujita, who is rehabbing a knee injury, was originally suspended three games but had that sentence overturned before Week 1. He was due to meet with the NFL this week.
Fujita's statement was aggressively critical of the Goodell's reasoning for what remains of his punishment -- that he didn't report former defensive coordinator Gregg Williams to the league:
Additionally, I am now purportedly being suspended for failing to confront my former defensive coordinator for his inappropriate use of language. This seems like an extremely desperate attempt to punish me. I also think it sets a bad precedent when players can be disciplined for not challenging the behavior of their superiors. This is an absolute abuse of the power that's been afforded to the Commissioner.
Fujita didn't stop there: He expounded on the very issue Goodell is using to advance the Bounty Gate suspensions -- player safety -- with a laundry list of accusations against the commissioner that Fujita believes are detrimental to the health of current players:
The Commissioner says he is disappointed in me. The truth is, I’m disappointed in him. His positions on player health and safety since a 2009 congressional hearing on concussions have been inconsistent at best. He failed to acknowledge a link between concussions & post-career brain disease, pushed for an 18-game regular season, committed to a full season of Thursday night games, has continually challenged players' rights to file workers compensation claims for on-the-job injuries, and he employed incompetent replacement officials for the start of the 2012 season. His actions or lack thereof are by the league’s own definition, "conduct detrimental".
Fujita made his 2012 debut on Sunday, recording two tackles against the Cincinnati Bengals.