Friday, 09 November 2012 13:33

Written by Gerry Dulac

Here is a copy of the letter that NFL VP Ray Anderson sent to WR Emmanuel Sanders and GM Kevin Colbert about the fake injury:

            “Despite the account given by Sanders during our November 2^nd meeting, neither the video sequence of the pertinent plays nor the observations of the on-field official support Sanders’s contention that he was in severe pain, either before, while falling to the ground, lying on the ground, or when he was being assisted in leaving the field. 

“Moreover, after missing the one play that is mandatory pursuant to the playing rules, and receiving no apparent treatment, Sanders returned to the game for a fourth-down punt, on which he out-sprinted all of his teammates 26 yards down the field, arriving at the ball ahead of all other Pittsburgh players, and then downing the ball.   The video of the play shows Sanders running swiftly and effortlessly toward the punted ball, and then leaving the field with no sign of discomfort.

“Sanders also played the rest of the game without difficulty.  Finally, there is no indication that Sanders has had prior cramping issues while in the NFL, and no Steelers’ medical records or information of any kind were presented that would support a finding that he incurred a cramp that was both as serious and as transient as Sanders suggests.” 

            Anderson also referenced a memo sent to all clubs in September that said the issue of faking injuries has been frequently discussed by the Competition Committee. 

            Anderson said the Steelers were fined $35,000 because it was consistent with Commissioner Roger Goodell’s principle that clubs must be held accountable for the conduct of their employees.