NFLPA challenges Goodell's bounty case declaration

NEW ORLEANS (AP) The NFL Players Association has filed documents in federal court disputing Commissioner Roger Goodell's sworn statement that he was prepared to discipline players for their involvement in the Saints bounty pool back in March, but waited until May as a courtesy to the union.

Attorneys for four players suspended in the bounty investigation have argued the punishment handed down by Goodell should be overturned, in part because the commissioner's public statements last spring showed he had improperly pre-judged the players' actions.

The documents filed Friday include sworn declarations by sanctioned linebacker Scott Fujita and union chief DeMaurice Smith. Fujita describes a March phone conversation with Goodell in which the commissioner said he had no problem coming down hard on coaches but was not sure what to do about player discipline.

Updated August 17, 2012