N.O. Saints Linebacker Jonathan Vilma Files Defamation Suit Against NFL Commish Roger Goodell
May 17, 2012 8:09 PM 
New Orleans Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma has filed a defamation lawsuit against NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, for his year-long suspension for bounty gate. New Orleans attorney Loretta Mince says Vilma’s lawyers will have to prove there was a publication of information about Vilma that was unflattering and untrue.
Goodell suspended Vilma for the entire 2012 season for his role in a “pay-for-pain” program on the Saints defense. Mince says the burden will be on Vilma to prove that Goodell acted with actual malice, when he made public statements about Vilma’s suspension.
Vilma has vehemently denied any part in bounty gate, and is suing Goodell for unfairly depicting him as a villain. Mince says Vilma’s lawyers will likely subpoena NFL press releases, memos and missives concerning the suspensions. Mince says defamation suits are rarely won by the plaintiffs.
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