Johnathan Vilma's appeal (as if the outcome was ever truly in doubt) appears to have been rendered fruitless.
Vilma, accompanied by his lawyer, Peter Ginsberg, walked out of the NFL offices this morning only one hour after their appeal before league commissioner Roger Goodell was expected to begin. While the other alleged bounty participants who were also appearing for an appeal this morning plan to return at a later time, Vilma does not plan to reappear.
Vilma, Anthony Hargrove, Will Smith, and Scott Fujita were scheduled to argue against their league imposed suspensions and attempt to discredit claims that they were involved in the illegal bounties that Greg Williams allegedly implanted during his time with the Saints organization.
Goodell reportedly requested a brief adjournment, which was met with Vilma's permanent departure from the proceedings.
The commissioner reportedly failed to comply with his legal obligation to share the evidence from which he had drawn his conclusion of guilt before the 72 hour deadline. Still unwilling to release the incriminating, physical evidence that the league claims to have, Goodell has apparently pushed the linebacker too far.
It is not yet confirmed, but it seems likely that Vilma will pursue this matter via a neutral arbitrational setting. Vilma insinuated that the appeal process via the league offices is frivolous because Goodell is "The judge, jury, and executioner."
