Bountygate: a new level of disgust

Next to the Penn State fiasco, I'm not sure if there is a story that has left such a bad taste in my mouth and such a horrible stain on participation in sports than this "bountygate" story. It's the gift that keeps on giving for the sensationalists.

But this is so fundamentally bad and so fundamentally wrong on so many levels that you have to wonder how we have allowed things to progress ( regress? ) to this point. Very disappointing stuff.

Pamphilon's message to parents of kids involved in football (highlighted below) is not only cautionary, it is absolutely bone-chilling.

We now are seeing -- at both the collegiate and professional levels -- a very troubling picture of the culture of the game. The NFL and the NCAA needs to take a long, hard look in the mirror.

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In a statement to the New Orleans Times-Picayune, Pamphilon explained why he released the tapes.

Here's the statement:

"If this story hadn't broken and been made public, I would not have shared this it. I would not have compromised my personal relationships and risked damaging Steve Gleason's relationship with the Saints. I would have crafted these words and sentiments for another forum, perhaps years down the road. If it weren't for the fact I feel deeply that parents of children playing football MUST pay attention to the influence of men who will sacrifice their kids for W's, I would not have written this. Some will call me releasing this audio for fame or money grab. True haters will call it exploitation. People of character and conscience call it was it is: tru(e)."

*** PROFANITY ALERT: PARENTAL DISCRETION ADVISED ***



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P.S. - This is the frightening part:

Former NY Giants LB Carl Banks says ex-Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams’ pre-game speech is typical of what you hear in the NFL

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/ny-giants-lb-carl-banks-ex-saints-defensive-coordinator-gregg-williams-pre-game-speech-typical-hear-nfl-article-1.1056759#ixzz1rHe5pUbO
http://bleacherreport.com/tb/bfTtY?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=new-york-giants

“The tenor of the speech is not uncommon on a Saturday night before a game,” Banks told the Daily News Thursday. “Some of the stuff was over the line, but 90-95% was what you would hear within most (defensive) rooms.”