Jonathan Vilma sues NFL's Roger Goodell for defamation

The latest lawsuit to stem from the NFL's bounty investigation has nothing to do with the Saints, the league or even the players' union. It is much more personal than that.

The simple title of Civil Action No. 12-cv-1283 filed in United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana on Thursday boils the conflict down to two men:

"Jonathan Vilma, plaintiff, v. Roger Goodell, defendant."

Vilma, who has been suspended for the season after the league found that he had posted money for teammates to injure opposing players, is suing Goodell for defamation.

"Vilma seeks to recover damages for defamatory statements made by Roger Goodell, Commissioner of the National Football League ('NFL')," the complaint, which was posted online by the New Orleans Times-Picayune, reads. "Goodell, speaking publicly about certain Saints executives, coaches and players, in relation to purported efforts designed to injure opposing players, made public statements concerning Vilma which were false, defamatory and injurious to Vilma's professional and personal reputation."

The suit notes that Goodell has not provided any evidence to Vilma or others regarding the league's claims that Vilma offered $10,000 to any Saints player who could knock then-Vikings quarterback Brett Favre out of the NFC Championship Game in 2010.

Vilma denies those claims in the lawsuit, which, under a section called "The Truth" states that Vilma "never established, or assisted in establishing, a Bounty Program or any similar program in violation of NFL rules."

Vilma is one of four NFL players suspended for participating in the alleged program, and the only one suspended for an entire season. Saints coach Sean Payton was also suspended for the 2012 season, and former defensive coordinator Gregg Williams has been suspended indefinitely. Assistant head coach Joe Vitt, now the interim head coach in Payton's absence, was also suspended six games.

"We have not yet reviewed the filing," league spokesman Greg Aiello said. "However, our commitment to player safety and the integrity of the game is our main consideration. We recognize that not everyone will agree with decisions that need to be made."

Besides federal court, Vilma has also taken his case to the court of public opinion via social media.

"As I've said before..I NEVER PAID, NOR INTENDED TO PAY ANY AMOUNT OF MONEY,TO ANY PLAYER FOR INTENTIONALLY HURTING AN OPPONENT," Vilma wrote on his Twitter feed Thursday. "[M]aybe this will get some people attention"