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04:17 PM ET 10.22 | In response to the New Orleans Saints' Bounty Gate punishments which saw several players and head coach Sean Payton receive suspension, the NFL Players Association has brought to light a similar program which the league ruled was legal: the 1996 Green Bay Packers "Smash for Cash" program. LeRoy Butler, who played on that 1996 Packers defense, discussed the incentive program with The Big Show on 1250 WSSP in Milwaukee. "The league knew about it. And it was called to their attention, ???Oh yeah, it's your money.' ... The problem is I don't want people to think that it was like a violent thing...But if you came up and smacked a guy and he fumbles the ball and you pick it up, if a guy wanted to give you some money, the league [said] everything's fine."

Packers fans, Mary Langenfeld-US PRESSWIRE

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October 22, 2012 04:24 PM ET

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It was ALL over the TV with the Packers wearing the towels with their "Hit" lists....at least the Packers were open and honest about it! HA!

Wisconsin Death Trip

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October 22, 2012 04:36 PM ET

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This was common knowledge in Green Bay and aound the league back in the 90's.

Old No. 4

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October 22, 2012 04:55 PM ET

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It's disappointing for the league to be acting like New Orleans is the only place this happened.

But Butler should be careful... Maybe Goodell will come after the '96 team :-)

TheBone

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October 22, 2012 05:12 PM ET

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QUOTE(#1):

Originally posted 04:20 PM ET 10.22 by Dolemite censored

I am not surprised at this.

No one with a brain who has watched football since the 80s should be...sad how nothing has turned into something

DR_Universal

Charlotte , NC

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October 22, 2012 05:41 PM ET

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QUOTE(#3):

Originally posted 04:36 PM ET 10.22 by Old No. 4

This was common knowledge in Green Bay and aound the league back in the 90's.

Everyone did it back then. But it was the players running the pool with their own money.

Darren Woodson has acknowledged that the Cowboys did it too.

Otis B. Driftwood

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October 22, 2012 06:15 PM ET

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QUOTE(#5):

Originally posted 05:12 PM ET 10.22 by DR_Universal

No one with a brain who has watched football since the 80s should be...sad how nothing has turned into something

+1 for you.

Robataille

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October 22, 2012 07:08 PM ET

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QUOTE(#6):

Originally posted 05:41 PM ET 10.22 by Otis B. Driftwood

Everyone did it back then. But it was the players running the pool with their own money. Darren Woodson has acknowledged that the Cowboys did it too.

Isn't that what Vilma's money was

Swamp Dragon

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October 22, 2012 07:32 PM ET

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It was all Farve's Fault!!!

Not4Nutten

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October 22, 2012 07:36 PM ET

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QUOTE(#8):

Originally posted 07:08 PM ET 10.22 by Swamp Dragon

Isn't that what Vilma's money was

Not according to Vilma

Mr Steeler

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October 23, 2012 12:10 AM ET

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I think that is the point of the players who are suing the league--the NFL encouraged teams to play in an increasingly violent style for years, which recklessly endangered the lives of the players. The league has been trying to back off of that level of violence for a few years now, but with the lawsuits pending, the league is REALLY trying to ratchet it down.

I think the ex-players have a fair chance of winning their suit.