With the NFL bounties controversy reaching a head, Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin has drawn the U.S. government into the matter. According to the Associated Press, Durbin is calling the U.S. Senate to intervene:
↵↵↵"Let's be real basic about it here. If this activity were taking place off of a sporting field, away from a court, nobody would have a second thought (about whether it's wrong). 'You mean, someone paid you to go out and hurt someone?'" Durbin said in a telephone interview before raising the issue on the floor of the Senate.
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Durbin is apparently pursuing criminal punishments for bounty programs such as the one run by former New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator, Gregg Williams. The now-suspended coach offered four-digit cash payouts for injuring quarterbacks and stars on opposing teams. The scandal has resulted in a wave of suspensions and fines.
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