Vilma suing Goodell for defamation of character.

[Giantone]

Originally Posted by HoopheadVII

I think there is zero chance that Vilma can win this lawsuit. He knows it, Goodell knows it, everybody knows it.

This is about forcing Goodell to release the evidence upon which he punished Vilma. He doesn't want to release it because he wants to protect the whistleblowers. The players want it released so they know what they're actually fighting against.

No idea who gets what they want here. Probably comes down to what it takes to prove defamation of character.

Question for the lawyers - the statements below are included in Vilma's complaint. Is he at any legal risk if Goodell produces evidence that show any of them to be obviously false?

38. Vilma never “pledged,” made or received payments of any kind encouraging or resulting from an opposing player being injured.

39. Vilma never “targeted” an opposing player in any manner that would violate NFL rules.

40. Vilma never engaged “in unsafe and prohibited conduct intended to injure players."

41.Vilma never “participate[d] in a program that potentially injured opposing players.”

42. Vilma never “embraced” a Bounty Program or any similar program in violation of NFL rules.

I don't think you can perjure in a complant only on sworn testimony.