Vince Wilfork Disputes ESPN Report

The Boston Globe reports New England Patriots NT Vince Wilfork continues to try to clear his name after meeting with commissioner Roger Goodell last week about his style of play and avoiding a suspension but being fined $35,000 for an elbow to the head of Denver Broncos QB Jay Cutler. Wilfork said last Friday that a big part of his meeting, which addressed the nose tackle's penchant for perceived dirty play, focused on his elbow to the left knee of Bills QB J.P. Losman last season, a borderline low blow after Losman released the ball that knocked the Bills quarterback out for three games and resulted in Wilfork being fined $12,500 (reduced upon appeal to $10,000). ESPN initially reported that during the meeting and after reviewing that play with the commissioner, Wilfork admitted to Goodell his hit on Losman was a cheap shot. Yesterday he issued a statement through his agent repudiating that report. "After a very productive and fulfilling meeting with the NFL commissioner, it was inaccurately reported by ESPN that I stated that the hit on Buffalo Bills QB J.P. Losman last season was a cheap shot," said the statement. "I did not say that. I am not that type of player and would never intentionally try [to injure] a fellow NFL colleague."

(rotoworld.com)