NEW YORK —
Former New Orleans defensive end Anthony Hargrove says it’s not his voice saying “Give me the money” in a video used by the NFL as evidence in its investigation of the Saints’ bounty program.
A day after Hargrove and three of his ex-teammates made appeals of their suspensions at NFL headquarters, he returned to the sidewalk outside the league offices Tuesday for an informal news conference. As curious passers-by huddled around, Hargrove read a 13-minute statement, making references to Bill Clinton and the Mona Lisa and often sounding like a colorful defense attorney giving a closing argument. “I’ve never offered nor received money to intentionally hurt a player,” Hargrove said.
On Monday, the NFL showed reporters a clip from the 2010 NFC championship game in which Hargrove purportedly made the “money” comment about injuring then-Vikings quarterback Brett Favre.
Hargrove insisted it was someone else uttering those words, though he said he didn’t know who. Hargrove was flagged and subsequently fined $5,000 for a flagrant hit on Favre, who returned to the game.
“This happens,” Hargrove said, looking into the TV cameras. “Brett, I’m truly sorry.”
Hargrove, now with Green Bay, has been suspended for eight games.
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said: “We stand by the findings of our investigation.” On Monday, Hargrove, Will Smith, Scott Fujita and Jonathan Vilma attended appeals hearings with Commissioner Roger Goodell. After the sessions, the NFL presented the same evidence it showed the players to reporters. The Hargrove clip was part of that.
An NFL investigation found that former Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams ran a system from 2009 through last season under which New Orleans players received cash bonuses for hits that knocked specific opponents out of games. Williams has been suspended indefinitely and other Saints coaches also have been punished.
Wearing a backward baseball cap and a white T-shirt, Hargrove called NFL officials “master politicians,” making an analogy to Clinton’s use of semantics when he said, “I did not have sexual relations with that woman.” And just as the Mona Lisa does not appear to smiling unless you look close enough, Hargrove declared, the league’s evidence does not hold up to closer scrutiny.
Hargrove, though, offered few specifics to back up his vivid imagery.
“I have felt like the target of a sophisticated mugging,” he said.
Sports
Ex-Saint Hargrove says it’s not his voice in clip
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Saints ready to practice with Payton again
Even as Sean Payton tried to make the best of his one-season bounty banishment from the NFL by spending time with his children, getting in shape and playing golf, he often compared his punishment to prison time.
He missed his work that much, his players say, adding that his return has infused Saints headquarters with a fresh intensity leading up to Tuesday’s opening of voluntary offseason practices. -
Wildcats honored for efforts
Ten Pearl River Community College baseball standouts have earned 2013 post-season honors with center fielder Braxton Lee and catcher-designated hitter Krisjon Wilkerson leading the way with All-Region 23 and All-MACJC first- team accolades.
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Season ends for Maroon Tide
Picayune’s magical playoff run came up just short of a spot in the state finals.
Homestanding Pascagoula, the defending Class 5A state champs, took a hard-fought 5-3 win over the Maroon Tidee in game three of the best of three South State finals here Saturday before a capacity crowd at Ingalls Field. -
Season ends for Maroon Tide
The season came to an end for the Picayune baseball team Saturday afternoon with a 5-3 loss to homestanding Pascagoula here at Ingalls Field in the third and deciding game of the Class 5A South State championship series.
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Tide stays alive
And it all comes down to this.
Picayune and Pascagoula will face off in a one game, winner take all
showdown today at 2 p.m., at Ingalls Field for the Class A South State
prep baseball championship and the right to play for the state title. -
Wildcats tring to win Region 23 title
Host Pearl River opened Region 23 Tournament play in dominating fashion here Thursday in Wildcat Stadium, demolishing top-seeded East Central 12-1 in eight innings and now faces second-seeded LSU-Eunice (La.) in Friday’s second round at 7 p.m.
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Panther pitcher shuts out Maroon Tide
Pascagoula’s Andrew Crane continued his dominance of Picayune Thursday night.
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Season ends for Lady Hornets
Poplarville's season came to and end in the Class 4A South state finals Tuesday night.
The visiting Lady Hornets fell to Newton County 10-2 in game two of the best-of-three series. -
Lady Hornets face Newton County
Two more wins, and Poplarville will be playing for the Class 4A state championship in fast-pitch softball.
The Lady Hornets have a chance at getting that first victory today. -
Polderman’s, Mitchell win titles
The Picayune Maroon Tide and the Pearl River Central Blue Devils both competed in the Class 5A South State track and field championships this past Saturday at Long Beach High School.
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