Saints head coach Sean Payton is 'sorry for what happened' regarding the bounty scandal.  (AP)

Before the internet became the internet, it was much easier for various entities -- political figures, corporations, football coaches -- to control their message. One method for burying unseemly news: release it late Friday. It's the beginning of the weekend, fewer people read the papers on Saturday and Sunday, and by the time Monday rolls around, the news cycle has moved on. It was aptly called "taking out the trash."

Trying to avoid the white-hot glare of the internet has made taking out the trash impossible, although we've seen it happen twice this month: the NFL released its findings from the bounty scandal investigation that ultimately led to the league suspending Saints head coach Sean Payton for a year, general manager Mickey Loomis for eight games, former defensive coordinator Gregg Williams indefinitely, and fining the organization $500,000.

And this Friday afternoon, Payton released a statement on the team's website  regarding said scandal and the subsequent sanctions.
I share and fully support the League's concerns and goals on player safety. It is, and should be paramount.

Respecting our great game and the NFL shield is extremely important to me.

Our organization will implement all necessary protections and protocols, and I will be more vigilant going forward.

I am sorry for what has happened and as head coach take full responsibility.

Finally, I want to thank Mr. Benson, our players and all Saints fans for their overwhelming support.

Head Coach Sean Payton
New Orleans Saints
This comes two days after Payton was stunned by the league's ruling.

"I did talk to him and he's stunned to say the least,” Fox Sports' Jay Glazer said Wednesday. "I think the entire team thought maybe there'd be a four-game suspension, but not a year. I said, 'Are you OK?' And he said, 'No, I'm not OK.' He is stunned. He's going to lose about $8 million. He is beside himself here."

Shortly after the sanctions were announced, CBSSports.com's Mike Freeman pointed out that Payton had "long been on the league's radar, and not in a good way."

Freeman continued: "To the NFL, and to almost everyone else in football not within the state of Louisiana, Payton has been the most arrogant man in the sport for the past several years. The league warned him about his association with felonious skunk Michael Ornstein, who has twice been convicted of fraud. Payton mostly ignored them. Later, the NFL determined Ornstein actually placed a bounty bet.

"When a lawsuit by the team's former head of security, an ex-FBI agent, alleged there was a cover-up of Vicodin abuse, Payton's name eventually surfaced as part of the legal action. Payton denied any wrongdoing, and the league rolled its eyes.

"There were many other issues. To the NFL, the Saints were getting out of control, and to the NFL, Payton has been the reason."

Now Payton's out nearly $8 million in salary and he can't return to coaching until 2013.

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