The NFL today announced a wide-ranging set of penalties for the New Orleans Saints in response to the discovery that Saints coaches sponsored a "bounty" program for defensive players during the 2009, 2010 & 2011 seasons.

The penalties include the season-long suspension, without pay, of Saints head coach Sean Payton for 2012.

Other penalties include: the indefinite suspension of St. Louis Rams defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, the loss of 2nd round draft picks in 2012 & 2013, the suspension of Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis for eight games, the suspension of Saints assistant coach Joe Vitt for six games and a team fine of $500,000.

Williams was Payton's defensive coordinator during the three seasons the bounty program took place and he joined Jeff Fisher's staff in St. Louis during the current offseason.

Williams, Payton and Loomis have all apologized publicly for allowing the bounty program to take place.

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