Utica Native Will Smith Suspended By the NFL for Saints Bounty Program

Will Smith, Defensive End for the New Orleans Saints, and a graduate of Proctor High School was suspended for 4 games for the 2012 season for his alleged participation in a bounty program.

The NFL alleges that coaches on the Saints staff paid players incentives to injure players on opposing teams.

Saints Head Coach Sean Payton was suspended for the entire 2012 season earlier this year.  Today, NFL commissioner Roger Godell handed out suspensions to indiviual players.  4 Saints players were caught up today, including Smith, who learned today he's be sidelined for the first 4 games of the upcoming football season.

One Saint player was suspended for the entire season.  Read more about the Saints Bounty Scandal from ESPN.

Below:  Will Smith celebrating after a quaterback sack: