Vilma: 'I intend to fight this injustice.' (US PRESSWIRE)
On Wednesday, linebacker Jonathan Vilma was suspended for the 2012 season for his involvement in the Saints bounty scandal. According to teammate Chase Daniel, Vilma learned his fate by watching television.

By Wednesday afternoon, Vilma had released a statement through his attorney:

“I am shocked and extremely disappointed by the NFL’s decision to suspend me for the 2012 season. Commissioner Roger Goodell has refused to share any of the supposed evidence he claims supports this unprecedented punishment. The reason is clear: I never paid, or intended to pay, $10,000, or any amount of money, to any player for knocking Kurt Warner, Brett Favre or any other player out of the 2009 Divisional Playoff Game, 2010 NFC Championship Game or any other game.

“I never set out to intentionally hurt any player and never enticed any teammate to intentionally hurt another player. I also never put any money into a bounty pool or helped to create a bounty pool intended to pay out money for injuring other players. I have always conducted myself in a professional and proud manner.

“I intend to fight this injustice, to defend my reputation, to stand up for my team and my profession, and to send a clear signal to the commissioner that the process has failed, to the detriment of me, my teammates, the New Orleans Saints and the game.’’

Last month, shortly after the Gregg Williams audio recording became public, the NFLPA sent a letter to the league in regards to Vilma's assertion above: that the NFL never shared "any of the supposed evidence" it used to rule against the Saints.

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"We learned of the tape as part of our effort to obtain any and all information related to an alleged pay-to-injure scheme," the statement read. "We had no control of the content and did not make a determination on the method of its release. To date, the NFL has not provided the NFLPA with detailed evidence of the existence of such a program."

The union again issued a statement Wednesday reiterating their previous concerns.

"After seeing the NFL's decision letters, the NFLPA has still not received any detailed or specific evidence from the league of these specific players' involvement in an alleged pay-to-injure program. We have made it clear that punishment without evidence is not fair. We have spoken with our players and their representatives and we will vigorously protect and pursue all options on their behalf," said NFLPA Executive Director DeMaurice Smith.

Vilma hasn't indicated whether he'll appeal Goodell's ruling but if history is any guide, we already know how that will play out.

Saints teammate Will Smith, who was suspended four games by the commissioner, also released a statement and he will appeal the ruling. Via CBSSports.com Rapid Reporter Larry Holder:

"I have never in my career, nor as a (team) captain, asked others to intentionally target and hurt specific opposing players," he said. "I was in no way involved in establishing or assisting Gregg Williams with implementing a bounty program. The accusations made against me are completely and one-hundred percent false, and I plan to appeal the decision along with the help of the NFL Players Association"

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