Biggest Stories of 2012

The controversial "Bountygate" scandal took a turn when the four suspended players -- (left to right) Jonathan Vilma, Anthony Hargrove, Will Smith and Scott Fujita -- were reinstated by a three-members appeals panel. The panel overturned a ruling that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell was within his powers to suspend the players for their alleged roles in a pay-to-injure agreement. The panel's decision did not apply to Saints management and coaching staff.