The NFL bounty story already hit close to home considering the Vikings and Brett Favre were targeted by the Saints. But it jumped up another level in the past 24 hours, with Cris Carter throwing himself into the mix with authority. Per ESPN.com:
Former Minnesota Vikings All-Pro receiver Cris Carter says he put "bounties" on opposing players as a form of protection during his 16-year NFL career. Carter, currently an ESPN NFL analyst, said Tuesday night on "Hill and Schlereth" on ESPN Radio that he would offer money to teammates to take out players he thought were trying to take him out. "I'm guilty of (bounties) -- I mean, first time I've ever admitted it -- but I put a bounty on guys before," Carter told show hosts Mike Hill and Mark Schlereth. "I put bounties on guys. If a guy tries to take me out, a guy takes a cheap shot on me? I put a bounty on him right now!" When asked whether the bounties carried financial incentive, Carter said: "Absolutely."
Carter backtracked Wednesday on SportsCenter, saying "bounty" was likely a bad word to use. He tried to make it sound like the intent was not to injure a player, but his words Tuesday spoke volumes.
"Bill Romanowski -- he told me he was going to take me out before the game, warm-ups. No problem. (He said,) 'I'm gonna end your career, Carter.' No problem. ... I put a little change on his head before the game. Protect myself. Protect my family. That's the league that I grew up in," Carter said.
This might not be nearly as systematic as what went on with the Saints, but it does speak to the overall culture in the league. What do you think? Is this roughly equal to, say, baseball players "protecting" each other with purpose pitches, hockey players employing enforcers and basketball players committing hard fouls? Or does this go to another level in your eyes -- and maybe even make you think less (or more) of Carter?
