AP

Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma is suspended for the entire 2012 season, and his season-long suspension actually begins right now: He’s banished from the team’s facilities effective immediately. But he didn’t find out about that from the NFL. He found out on TV.

That’s the word from Saints quarterback Chase Daniel, who wrote on Twitter that he was there with Vilma when the word came down, and Vilma learned at the same time as millions of NFL fans.

“I was standing right next 2 @jonvilma51 when he found out abt his suspension ON @SportsCenter. Really? He has to find out about it that way?” Daniel wrote.

It is surprising that the NFL wouldn’t inform Vilma (or, presumably, suspended players Anthony Hargrove, Will Smith and Scott Fujita) personally, and would instead simply issue their statement on the suspensions and let the players find out through the media. The NFL’s plan appears to be to have no contact whatsoever with Vilma, starting now.