The National Football League ruled Friday there is no evidence to support charges the Philadelphia Eagles deliberately tried to injure two Dallas Cowboys players.
"After a thorough review of all information available to the league, Commissioner (Paul) Tagliabue has concluded there is no proof that `bounties' were placed on any Dallas Cowboys' player by the Philadelphia Eagles," the NFL said."Nor is there convincing evidence of any intent to injure any Cowboys' player or to make contact with any player outside the rules of the game."
After Philadelphia's 27-0 victory over the Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day, Dallas Coach Jimmy Johnson and kicker Luis Zendejas charged the Eagles offered $500 to any player who could knock quarterback Troy Aikman out of the game and $200 for anyone who sidelined Zendejas.
Zendejas was leveled on the second-half kickoff by Philadelphia linebacker Jessie Small and Aikman was hit by rookie linebacker Britt Hager after a play had been whistled dead early in the second half.
Zendejas said two Philadelphia players, David Little and John Teltschik, and special teams coach Al Roberts had warned him before the game that the Eagles had put a price on his head.
NFL Director of Security Warren Welch interviewed all the players and coaches involved and uncovered no evidence to support the charges.
Zendejas, who kicked for the Eagles for the first eight weeks of the season but was released and later signed with the Cowboys, said this week he had tape recorded a telephone conversation with Roberts that supported his accusation.
Roberts, who has admitted speaking to Zendejas before the game but denied telling him about any bounty, has threatened to sue Zendejas if he plays the tape publicly or reveals its contents.
Little and Teltschik have denied specifically warning Zendejas that there was a price on his head but admitted they told their former teammate to be on his guard throughout the game.
The Eagles and Cowboys play again Sunday at Veterans Stadium and Tagliabue is expected to be in attendance.
"Under no circumstances does the league condone placing `bounties' on an opposing player," the NFL statement said. "Nor does the league condone any deliberate action taken to injure another player. If such conduct is proven by either direct or indirect evidence, the sanctions will be severe."
Eagles Coach Buddy Ryan has consistently denied there were any bounties placed on the Cowboys and said he never expected any action to be taken against his team.
"How can it be anything else, for crying out loud?" Ryan said before finding was announced. "There's no bounties. What can they do. How can they fine me? I didn't do anything. I didn't think about it, it didn't even enter my mind."
Eagles President Harry Gamble said the NFL had supported the Eagles' position.
"We feel that the statement from the NFL speaks for itself," he said. "Hopefully, this finding will put this incident to rest once and for all."