Payton screwed up. Should've gotten a Lawyer.

Nobody knows that really happened...I dont care what Goodell says. Even Goodell himself said "if he didnt know, he shouldve known", so that tells me he's just assuming Payton knew without any solid evidence, alot like you

As recently as this year, Payton said he was entirely unaware of the bounties -- "a claim contradicted by others," the league said. And according to the investigation, Payton received an email before the Saints' first game in 2011 that read, "PS Greg Williams put me down for $5000 on Rogers (sic)." When Payton was shown that email by NFL investigators, he acknowledged it referred to a bounty on Rodgers, whose Packers beat the Saints in Week 1.

Sean Payton of New Orleans Saints banned one year for bounties - ESPN

But I suppose ESPN is part of the greater conspiracy, too, hmm?