In this Oct. 9, 2011, photo, Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton, left, is tackled by New Orleans Saints' Jonathan Vilma (51) during an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C. The suspensions of Vilma and three other players in the NFL's bounty investigation were lifted Friday, Sept. 7, 2012, by a three-member appeals panel and the league reinstated those players a few minutes later. The ruling does not permanently void their suspensions. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)