New Orleans Case Puts Scrutiny on NFL Bounty Pay The revelations were shocking to those outside the NFL: A team paid bounties to knock opponents out of the game, including some of its biggest stars. For those who suit up, however, it sounds more like the long-accepted cost of doing business in a brutal sport/ Atlanta Falcons star Roddy White calls it a "league thing" that goes far beyond the New Orleans Saints. Shawne Merriman of the Buffalo Bills wonders why all the fuss now about bounties. And former All-Pro guard Alan Faneca says he's not surprised at all that such a sordid system has come to light. Retired quarterback Joe Theismann says bounties are a long-accepted part of the game. In his day, it was actually "flattering" to be the target.