NFL upholds Browns Scott Fujitas suspension

Cleveland Browns Scott Fujita along with three other players will be disciplined for their participation in the pay-for-performance or bounty program. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has upheld his suspension of Fujita as per the original rulings last May. Fujita will miss the first three regular season games due to this suspension.

Goodell cited the lack of these players ability to present evidence to counter or change the opinion of the principle investigators:

"Although you claimed to have been 'wrongfully accused with insufficient evidence,' your lawyers elected not to ask a single question of the principal investigators, both of whom were present at the hearing (as your lawyers had requested); you elected not to testify or to make any substantive statement, written or oral, in support of your appeal; you elected not to call a single witness to support your appeal; and you elected not to introduce a single exhibit addressing the merits of your appeal," Goodell wrote in a letter to the players. "Instead, your lawyers raised a series of jurisdictional and procedural objections that generally ignore the CBA, in particular its provisions governing 'conduct detrimental' determinations ... "

Other players who received  suspensions are Jonathan Vilma (linebacker), Will Smith (defensive end) and defensive end Anthony Hargrove--all former teammates of Fujita when he was with the New Orleans Saints.

A.J. Hunley--Senior Writer, AFC North
A.J. is Senior Writer and Editor for both the AFC North Report and the Cleveland Browns Report. He has been writing articles for several years, many of which have been featured on numerous high-profile websites. A.J. can be followed on Twitter, and you can join him on his Facebook Fan Page-- Cleveland Browns Report