Former NFL quarterback Brett Favre said Friday that he wasn't especially upset to learn that New Orleans Saints players might have been paid extra to try to injure him.
"I'm not pissed," Favre told Sports Illustrated after the NFL released a report saying the Saintsconducted a "bounty" program in which defenders were given monetary bonuses for hurting opponents. "It's football. I don't think anything less of those guys."
Favre indicated that it's nothing new for players to try to hurt each other.
"Said or unsaid, guys do it anyway," Favre said. "If they can drill you and get you out, they will."
The report included allegations that the Saints were intentionally targeting Favre, at the time with the Minnesota Vikings, during the 2009 NFC Conference Championship Game. Favre had to be helped off the field after he was hit by Saints defensive end Bobby McCray and defensive tackle Remi Ayodele.
On Friday, NFL Network insider Jason La Canfora reported that clubs were issued a memo that said Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma had offered a $10,000 reward to his teammates before a playoff matchup. Darren Sharper, a safety for two seasons with the Saints, has denied there was a bounty system in place intended to injure opponents.