What Is Home Team’s Bountygate? Is it Real Scandal?

‘House Group’ is a sports activities comedy movie that revolves round Sean Payton, a suspended Nationwide Soccer League (NFL) coach who joins a center college soccer crew. The film, directed by Charles and Daniel Kinnane, is predicated on the lifetime of soccer coach Sean Payton. Whereas the movie’s major focus is Sean’s relationship along with his son, Connor, it additionally touches upon Sean’s profession within the NFL. Consequently, viewers get to be taught concerning the Bountygate Scandal that alters the course of Sean’s life. For those who want to discover out extra concerning the Bountygate scandal, right here’s every thing it is advisable know! SPOILERS AHEAD!

What Is the Bountygate Scandal in House Group?

In ‘House Group,’ viewers meet Sean Payton, the coach of the New Orleans Saints soccer crew within the NFL. Payton wins the Superbowl with the Saints through the 2009-10 season and turns into a revered determine within the sporting neighborhood. Nevertheless, a scandal surrounding the New Orleans Saints involves gentle. The scandal revealed that the soccer crew’s teaching workers had been concerned in a observe that encourages gamers to injure opponents on goal. Following the scandal, dubbed “Bountygate,” Payton is suspended as Head Coach. After the suspension, Payton appeals towards the punishment and returns to Argyle, Texas. Whereas the movie doesn’t dive deep into Payton’s involvement within the Bountygate scandal, the incident serves because the story’s inciting incident.

Is Bountygate a Actual Scandal?

Sure, Bountygate is an actual scandal that emerged in 2012. It’s generally referred to as the New Orleans Saints bounty scandal. In NFL, non-contract bonuses are referred to as “bounties.” These usually contain incentivizing fouling, knocking out, and injuring opposition gamers. Such practices are forbidden and strictly punishable. Following Saints’ Superbowl win, a participant got here ahead with the allegations of a bounty program being lively inside the Saints’ dressing room. Primarily based on the verification of the allegations, NFL opened an investigation into the matter in 2010. Nevertheless, a lot of the coaches and gamers denied understanding of any such bounty program.

The NFL acquired new info in direction of the tip of the 2011 season, and the investigation was reopened. By March 2012, NFL had discovered irrefutable proof {that a} bounty program was lively inside the Saints’ ranks. As per the findings, the Saints’ Defensive Coordinator Gregg Williams had been the first administrator of funds for the bounty program. Primarily based on 18,000 paperwork, it was decided that the bounty program had been in place since 2009, and between 22-27 Saints gamers, in addition to different members of the teaching crew, have been concerned within the matter. Payton was reportedly conscious of the bounty program and accused of making an attempt to cowl up the matter.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell oversaw the investigation, and Willaims admitted his involvement after initially declining. Payton and the Saints’ Basic Supervisor Mickey Loomis additionally issued statements and took full accountability for not shutting down the bounty program. After the scandal broke out, the NFL was anticipated to take strict actions towards the concerned events.

Consequently, Williams was indefinitely suspended, and Payton was suspended for one 12 months. Within the course of, Payton grew to become the primary Head Coach in NFL to be suspended for any cause. Williams’ suspension was lifted after one 12 months. Loomis was suspended for the primary eight video games of the brand new season, whereas Joe Vitt (assistant head coach and linebackers coach) was suspended for the primary six video games. Moreover, 4 gamers have been suspended with various severity, and the Saints have been fined $500,000 for his or her involvement within the Bountygate scandal.

Learn Extra: Are House Group’s Warriors and Porcupines Primarily based on Actual Soccer Groups?