NFL Scandals That Changed The League Forever

Controversy has followed the NFL throughout its history, but some scandals have left a far deeper mark than others. Few were more damaging than Michael Vick's involvement in an illegal dog fighting ring in 2007. The Atlanta Falcons quarterback was convicted for his role in the operation, which was known as Bad News Kennels. Vick was sentenced to 23 months in federal prison and received an indefinite suspension from the NFL. However, he eventually returned to the league and was named Comeback Player of the Year in 2010. In 2015, the league was rocked by yet another major scandal, Deflategate. The New England Patriots were accused of using under-inflated footballs during the 2015 AFC Championship Game. Tom Brady was suspended for four games while the Patriots were fined $1 million and lost two draft picks. Despite the controversy, New England went on to win the Super Bowl that same year. The Saints found themselves at the It was revealed that players were allegedly paid bonuses for injuring opponents, prompting swift and severe punishment from the league. Head coach Sean Payton was suspended for the entire season, while several players and staff members also received suspensions. Spygate rocked the NFL in 2007 after the Patriots were caught secretly recording the New York Jets' defensive signals from an unauthorized location. Head coach Bill Belichick was fined $500,000, the team was fined and New England lost a first-round draft pick. The NFL later destroyed the tapes, adding another layer of intrigue to one of the league's most controversial scandals.