NFLPA files grievance in Saints bounty case

The NFL Players Association on Friday filed a grievance against the NFL that challenges commissioner Roger Goodell's authority to suspend four players in connection with the Saints' bounty program that allegedly ran from 2009-11.

Attorney Andrew Brandt, a former Packers front-office executive, said the union's complaint charges that Goodell does not have the power to discipline players for conduct before the league's collective-bargaining agreement was signed Aug. 4, 2011. The union also contends that arbitrator Stephen Burbank, appointed by both the league and the union to hear disputes between the two parties, should have the power to punish players, not Goodell.

On Wednesday, Goodell suspended Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma for the entire 2012 season. Also sanctioned were former Saints defensive tackle Anthony Hargrove (now with the Packers) for eight games, Saints defensive end Will Smith for four games and former Saints linebacker Scott Fujita (with the Browns) for three games. Vilma and Smith deny the existence of a bounty program. Hargrove signed an affidavit confirming there was a bounty program. Seau's brain for research

The family of former NFL star Junior Seau will donate his brain for research into repetitive head injuries. Chargers chaplain Shawn Mitchell, speaking for the family, said he didn't know where the brain was being sent. He said the family was not speculating as to whether concussions were a factor in Seau's suicide. -- AP