The NFL finally has outed the whistleblower.
After months of blurring the line between reasonably protecting persons who provided information confidentially and unreasonably shielding key witnesses from scrutiny, the league produced a declaration from former Saints assistant coach Mike Cerullo to Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma during Monday’s marathon meeting at 345 Park Avenue, according to Albert Breer of NFL.com.
Per Breer, Cerullo’s declaration contradicts portions of Gregg Williams’ declaration.
Hopefully, we’ll eventually have a chance to compare and contrast the allegations and explanations. Until then, the significant news is that the league has fully embraced its do-over, dramatically reversing course on a stubborn refusal to disclose Cerullo’s name.
Vilma’s lawsuit challenging his initial suspension contends that Cerullo blew the whistle, and that Cerullo had pledged revenge against the Saints and specifically assistant head coach Joe Vitt after Cerullo was fired in 2010. Cerullo had maintained a low profile throughout the bounty investigation.