New Orleans Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma was suspended without pay for the entire 2012 season by the NFL. He was one of four players punished Wednesday for participating in the team’s cash-for-hits bounty system.

Defensive lineman Anthony Hargrove, now with the Green Bay Packers, was suspended for the first half of the 16-game season; Saints defensive end Will Smith was barred for the opening four games; and linebacker Scott Fujita, now with the Cleveland Browns, will miss the first three games. Like Vilma, they were suspended without pay.

All four players have three days to appeal NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell’s ruling, and the head of the NFL Players Association said the union would fight the penalties. Fujita is a member of the NFLPA’s executive committee.

The league’s statement said Vilma, Hargrove, Smith, and Fujita were suspended because of conduct detrimental to the NFL as a result of their leadership roles with the bounties.

Originally the league said that 22 to 27 defensive players were involved in the illegal scheme, which was orchestrated by then Saints defensive coordinator, Gregg Williams, and started in the season the Saints won its only Super Bowl championship.

Targeted opponents included quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers, Cam Newton, Brett Favre, and Kurt Warner. Knockouts were worth $1,500 and cart-offs $1,000, with payments doubled or tripled for the playoffs.