Green Bay Packers' Anthony Hargrove insists NFL evidence against New Orleans Saints is wrong
Anthony Hargrove says it wasn't him. In a 13-minute, nearly 1,500-word prepared statement, Hargrove emphatically said it was not his voice in the video clip used as evidence in the New Orleans Saints' bounty investigation.
Anthony Hargrove says it wasn't him.
In a 13-minute, nearly 1,500-word prepared statement, Hargrove emphatically said it was not his voice in the video clip used as evidence in the New Orleans Saints' bounty investigation.
One day after Hargrove and three of his former Saints teammates formally appealed their suspensions, the Green Bay Packers defensive end held an informal news conference outside the NFL offices in Manhattan.
In a passionate, direct tone, Hargrove maintained his innocence.
The video captures Saints assistant coach Joe Vitt speaking to players on the sideline during the third quarter of the 2009 NFC Championship Game against Green Bay.
Vitt told the Saints players that Packers' QB Brett Favre was out of the game with a serious leg injury (which turned out to be incorrect).
Hargrove, who appears in and out of the camera shot, supposedly said to teammate Bobby McCray, "Bobby, give me my money."
Hargrove - currently suspended eight games - insists it is not his voice.
"Here's the problem with that," Hargrove said in the extended statement. "It wasn't me. That's right. The NFL got their evidence all wrong. In their rush to convict me, they made a very serious error. Is it intentional? I don't know. But one thing I do know with absolute certainty: It. Was. Not. Me!
"Like I said, lean in closer, look closer, listen closer. It is not my voice. Anyone who knows me well knows that it is not me. But the NFL does not know me well. They simply make assumptions. With . . . my . . . life."
In response, league spokesman Greg Aiello told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "We stand by the findings of our investigation."
Weird arrangement
Saints GM Mickey Loomis will be able to meet regularly during his eight-game suspension with club owner Tom Benson and team president Dennis Lauscha, thanks to Benson's recent acquisition of the NBA's New Orleans Hornets.
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello says the league would not seek to prohibit Loomis from meeting with Saints officials who have roles with both teams, but would expect that when they meet, Loomis does not perform any Saints duties. Loomis was named director of operations of the basketball team.
Tebow wins award
Tim Tebow has won the 2011 Good Guy Award given by the Professional Football Writers of America.
The quarterback for Denver last season and now with the New York Jets won the honor presented by the PFWA for his professional style in helping writers do their jobs. He is the fifth consecutive quarterback to win.
Noteworthy
Former NFL quarterback Ryan Leaf could spend 15 months locked down in Montana, first in a secure drug treatment facility and then in a pre-release living center as part of a judge's following Leaf's guilty plea for breaking into a house and illegally possessing painkillers.
Leaf's attorney said he expects the 36-year-old to spend six months in the pre-release center if he successfully completes the treatment.
Safety Michael Griffin has been on the Tennessee defense longer than anyone else, and the Titans made sure he would be around a lot longer by signing him to a five-year extension, for unannounced financial terms.
Indianapolis signed free agent running back Mewelde Moore and released quarterback David Legree on Tuesday. Moore is entering his ninth NFL season, spending the last four in Pittsburgh.