NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell handed down suspensions that will cost Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma and Broncos linebacker D.J. Williams some money this year, but they aren’t interested in getting any of it back as a result of Goodell visiting a restaurant they own in Miami.
A window at Brother Jimmy’s BBQ, the restaurant the two linebackers opened earlier this month along with fellow University of Miami linebacking product Jon Beason, features a sign with Goodell’s picture taped to the window. As you can see in the picture at right, which comes via Twitter users @ALLIN1 and @JeremyIvans13, the sign is also adorned with the message “DO NOT SERVE THIS MAN.”
USA TODAY spoke to an employee of the restaurant who confirmed that the signs are in all of the restaurant’s windows as well as on the walls inside the eatery. The paper wasn’t able to confirm if Vilma or Williams issued an order to post the signs, but it wouldn’t be surprising if Vilma’s scorched earth approach to fighting his suspension has carried over to decorating choices at his side project.
Regardless of who was the driving force behind the signs, it seems Goodell will have to look elsewhere to fill cravings for 16 ounce margaritas and country fried steak when he’s in South Florida.
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“This man caught us paying people to hurt our fellow players … and made us stop. We don’t want his kind in here.”
Brilliant …
and Im sure he’s devastated.
You sure a bunch of 12 year olds dont own this restaurant?
If the restaurant’s low class enough to put paper “signs” up in all the windows, I doubt Goodell would’ve ever ate there anyway
How childish.
I’m sure the union is happy though, bunch of babies.
Dont serve this man he suspended us because we violated the rules and were babies!
Grow up
Among other off-season escapades that are scheduled to cost DJ Williams a minimum of eight games this upcoming year, he was caught switching urine during a random drug test.
I can see why a high character guy like that would not be interested in Goodell at his establishment.
As far as Vilma, setting the Bounty accusations aside, you are the company you keep.
This is so funny…the best laugh I’ve had this morning. Just goes to show, Vilma is not screwing around. I wonder if he will find a picture of Goodell’s mother and post that too. That would really put the presure on Goodell.
Oh grow up!
Out of all the excellent restaurants in Miami to eat at, I’m sure Vilma’s dump was at the top of Goodell’s list to eat at? I’m sure he’s heartbroken that he has been banned from there. Seriously? Vilma proving that he is a mental midget and is better off not being in the NFL. I’m sure Vilma has a bright future as the “I lift things up, I put them down” guy on Planet Fitness commercials.
If I were Goodell, I’d increase the suspensions and fine them. I’d be shocked if there isn’t language in a standard NFL contract that speaks to ‘conduct detrimental to the league’, etc.
You can’t expect, no matter your job or how much you make, to be able to go out and publicly speak ill of your boss – or in this case your boss’s boss – and not have to answer for it.
Finish up your suspension fight in the proper arena, serve out your punishment like a man, and grow up. Stop acting like a spoiled child. I’m beginning to wonder if this is MJD’s favorite establishment when he’s in South Florida.
That ban will last about 6 months. The same time frame before they shut it down because it’s losing money.
Total lack of class and professionalism. The other shoe just dropped.
Goodell shouldn’t worry about eating there. Most athlete owned restaurants close quickly anyway.
You can’t get decent bbq in South Florida, anyway.
Damn now he’ll have to change his reservations for this weekend…..
I’ve been there…Its a sports bar gearing up for the season. Its just a joke and total non-story.
Darn, I guess Roger will have to go to one of the other million restaurants in Miami….
where are your senses of humor people? this is funny…deserved suspension or not, this is funny
lets be honest… Was Gooddell ever going to visit this place anyway?
I think many of you are missing the point. It’s not about vilma being a baby or trying to stick it to Goodell. This is marketing 101. These players are all new owners to this restaurant and one of them happens to be making national news due to the bounty scandal. This gives the restaurant and owners a very unique opportunity. Free national advertisement. Brilliant idea!
These signs are all over in New Orleans restaurants.
Sure they violated rules, salary cap rules, nothing else. According to the CBA you can’t suspend a player for a salary cap violation. So goodell needs to correct his mistake.
The NFL has rules all players must follow and those guys didnt do that,they were caught and punished accordingly,why didnt they just play by the rules set forth in the NFL.I am sure Goodell isnt losing sleep over a greasy cheesburger that he wasnt allowed to have in their joint.
i literally LOL when i saw this picture. thanks
See, no matter what our 20+ yrs old footballers say, they are as matured and serious as 7 yrs old retard.
We don’t expect any love from gangs abt cops? Do we?
Brother Jimmy serves you a big steak with your choice of performance enhancing drugs on the side, and a nice bowl of uppers for desert.
A source told me that Goodell is really upset because where is he going to buy his corn dogs.
Did they get this idea from the little rascals heman woman haters club?
Gloria Allred famed attorney wants to take up a discrimination case on behalf of Roger Goodell.
I’m always interested to see the comments section to gauge how the masses respond to the article. I’m glad to see most of the readers found these actions to be childish.
Stay classy Saints players. You’d think they would want as much business in their restaurant as they can get seeing as how they’re not making any money playing these days.
Look at everyone taking the side of a guy who doesn’t play by any rules and does things as he feels. If this was your boss, you would feel the same way. But it’s not. so you take the side of the powerful white person suspending black players who make more money than all of you.
You ladies are WAY too uppity. It’s a joke, and a funny one at that.
Vilma continue to show how classless he is on and off the field. Did I hear the word PROFFESIONAL along with his name…NAH!
I wish more people would do stuff like this. It is their right to serve who they want. That is the great thing about USA. They can do it.
Goodell should put up signs like this of Payton and Vilma around the Saints facilities
If he really wanted your BBQ then all he would have to do is get someone else to buy the food to go and bring it back to him.I doubt Goodell would want food from there anyway.
What is DJ Williams mad about? I shouldn’t be suspended for multiple gun/alcohol incidents.
The back side of this sign reads “If you take out the knees of anyone from the commissioner’s office you get a free 16 ounce margarita”
I’d hate to have Goodell’s job… it must be stressful having to talk to and baby sit a good amount of immature players, you hold these players accountable for their actions and they throw it right back in your face and whine about conspiracies… smh.
forget the haters that was funny, my wife even laughed
“This man is a bully, guilty of making false accusations and intentionally trying to financially injure players. He pretends to be so noble and self righteous while continuing to fool the more gullible of bloggers.”
This story is probably the first that Goodell has even heard of Vilma’s restaurant.
Just a guess, but Goodell probably eats at five-star restaurants, and not a roadside shack that serves food prepared out back . . .
As if Commissioner Goodell would even be interested in dining there. Athletes opening up a restaurant? What a novel idea. As with most (since the owners don’t take the requisite time to reasearch the business/industry) I see it shuttered in three years.
Goodell himself could come to your home, tell you how he lied to enforce punishments based on heresay, and you would still bash anything Saint related. You’re all so eager to hate. This was a simple joke, made for people that go to sports bars. Take those corncobs out of your butts and relax, it’s JUST football.
Couple of things:
If Vilma was White, and Roger was Black, how many people would be screaming racism?
I’ll be honest in that while I think Vilma is guilty here, I support his right to do this, though the risk is pretty clearly on him, as based on what I see in these threads, a lot of people would choose to not go to his restaurant.
As much as I hate Goodell and think he is ruining my once favorite sport. Grow up Vilma
It’s a shame these fools didn’t use their time enrolled in college to actually try to learn…
Goodell and fantasy football ruined pro football
I can’t people saying that Vilma is dumb. both of his parents are doctors, and he was a three time Academic All-Big East Conference. If you have ever heard him speak, he sounds very educated.
That’ll show him!
He isn’t welcome at most restaurants in NOLA…and WE aren’t losing ANY sleep over it either ya buncha Rogsuckers….keep talking…We love all the extra hot air…holds of hurricanes.
When are the Broncos going to cut DJ? Can we please just get rid of this guy??
joetoronto says:
Aug 22, 2012 9:35 AM
How childish.
I’m sure the union is happy though, bunch of babies.
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Reminds me of McGuinty and his teacher buddies. Are you one of his teacher buddies joeTO?
If Roger were a minority, would this be subject to a discrimination claim??
Just sayin’
Childish.
Hey i live in the south and there are plenty of places that say “We have the right to refuse service.” I know i’m not welcome and i keep it moving. My wife wasn’t served in a bar once because the bartender told her the the girls in there didn’t like the fact she was with a black guy. This is the country we live in, just keep it moving. BTW If I owned a restaurant he would not be welcomed there either.
Vilma – if your restaurants are run as well as you manage your image and how you plead your innocence, I think Vilma needs to exclude no customer. But, just to get back at Vilma, I won’t visit your restaurant either – you overpaid, lazy, underwhelming athlete.
CHILDish is not admiting you made a mistake or I’ll get you if you cross me. I know all you rocket scientists are going to say Vilma’s the one, who needs to face the music. Soon a Judge will decide, not to mention the Freeh report is lurking out there somewhere.
As a Panther fan, my first reaction to this story was, why in the hell is Beason going into business with the enemy?
This is so funny.
Gotta say this is brilliant promoting on their part
Now what would you think would happen if a white restaurant owner put either of those two Pictures in the window because they tried to hurt a QB from their team.
I bet Al Jesse and all the other race baiters would be there protesting like crazy
If these signs are all over New Orleans, as someone has mentioned, Goodell might be forced to have pizza delivered during Super Bowl Week this season.
Love it!!!
Goodell is devastated.
Rodger should have 100 of his employees visit the restaurant during lunch and just sit, sipping water for about three hours. Does great for business.
Vilma consistently amazes me. I keep thinking he can behave more classless and then, he goes and does it.
Crazycane
Look at everyone taking the side of a guy who doesn’t play by any rules and does things as he feels. If this was your boss, you would feel the same way. But it’s not. so you take the side of the powerful white person suspending black players who make more money than all of you.
You r definitely a racist arent you? You obviously have no social etiquette and are pea brained! People like you are always playing the race card and I would be willing to bet its because you’ve never worked an honest days labor in your life but you expect things to be handed to you. I hate people like you, you are an obvious bigot and need to keep your thoughts to yourself because they show your ignorance! MORON!!!
thedudesnotin says:
Aug 22, 2012 2:36 PM
joetoronto says:
Aug 22, 2012 9:35 AM
How childish.
I’m sure the union is happy though, bunch of babies.
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Reminds me of McGuinty and his teacher buddies. Are you one of his teacher buddies joeTO?
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Time to get with the program, buddy.
Unions are for losers.
Vilma is an embarrassment. Be a man, take your suspension, and shut the f up.