New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton said he’d be “shocked” if any discipline came down from the NFL after comments made by former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison.
Harrison told the “Going Deep” podcast that head coach Mike Tomlin handed him an envelope after a hit he delivered to receiver Mohamed Massaquoi in a 2010 game that drew a $75,000 fine.
“If people are waiting on the league to investigate that, they shouldn’t hold their breath,” Payton said. “I think what took place with us back in 2011 in so many ways was a sham and yet there wasn’t a lot that we could do with it.”
Payton was suspended for the 2012 season after a league investigation alleged players were paid for dirty plays.
“Honestly, it was something I’ll never truly get over,” Payton said. “Because I know how it was handled and how it was run and the reasons behind it and that’s just the truth.”