49ers’ Kyle Williams Stands Tall Amid Criticisms.One day after mishandling two punt returns, 49ers receiver Kyle Williams handled the disturbing implications of his season-killing fumbles in the NFC championship game flawlessly.
Williams received death threats via Twitter in the hours after his fumbles in the fourth quarter and overtime led to huge final 10 points in their 20-17 overtime victory Sunday night at Candlestick Park.
On Monday morning, as he met with reporters for the second time in 16 hours, Williams, 23, said he was unaware of the display of vitriol on Twitter and had considered teammates, friends and family for support. He repeatedly expressed his desire to be responsible for any errors that may have cost the Niners their first trip to the Super Bowl in 17 years.
"It's one of those things you need to take responsibility," said Williams. "Everyone is responsible for what they do on the ground. It's something that I was responsible and I made a mistake, and it is time to own up to it and move on. "
Williams also shrugged a shoulder injury he suffered in the third quarter. His father, Chief White Sox Kenny Williams, told ESPN Chicago, his son could play with a separated shoulder. Niners coach Jim Harbaugh said Monday an evaluation revealed that Williams was not a separation but a very painful shoulder. Harbaugh, who said he was unaware of the injury during the match, said Williams was "soldier through it."
"I take full responsibility for the mistake I made," said Williams. "You have to play with what you have. I was rung up. Everybody was rung up. C is just football. No one will be 100 percent. I was going very well. "
There was no indication that Williams had suffered another concussion Sunday, but Giants receiver Devin Thomas told the Newark Star-Ledger New York that struck Williams woozy during the game. Thomas, who recovered the two Williams escaped, said it was one of the giants' game plan.
After suffering a concussion on Dec. 24 in a win in Seattle, Williams said he thought it was the fourth concussion he had suffered.
"He had a lot of concussions," said Thomas after the game. "We were like 'We have to put a hit on this guy. ... (Giants safety Tyler) Sash did a great job beating him before, and he looked kind of dazed when he got up. I feel that makes a difference and he spat. "
Sash has been a great success on Williams at the end of a nine-yard punt return with just over three minutes in the third quarter. The tackle is somewhat obscured by the other players on the TV replay, but Williams hit Sash seemed legally in the upper body while Williams was falling to the ground. As in New York cornerback Prince Amukamara Sash congratulated on the face, Williams got back up and stayed on the ground for possession of San Francisco offensive later. Quarterback Alex Smith faked a sweep of Williams on the Niners' first down play.
As was the case Sunday night, Williams's teammates supported the beleaguered second-year wide out, who also received messages of support from retired NFL star Deion Sanders and Kurt Warner on Twitter.
The most vocal supporter of Williams was placekicker David Akers, who could relate to the label on goat Williams after his failures in a high stakes match. Last year, Akers, playing with the Eagles, missed field goal attempts of 34 and 41 yards in a loss of from 21 to 16 divisions, playoff in Green Bay.
"I am angry with the way people are treating it, absolutely," said Akers. "I think it's ridiculous. You know, get a grip on the subject of life. He went out and he put his soul there. This is what he does. He did not seek to another thing to an incredible game for this team. "
Williams received death threats via Twitter in the hours after his fumbles in the fourth quarter and overtime led to huge final 10 points in their 20-17 overtime victory Sunday night at Candlestick Park.
On Monday morning, as he met with reporters for the second time in 16 hours, Williams, 23, said he was unaware of the display of vitriol on Twitter and had considered teammates, friends and family for support. He repeatedly expressed his desire to be responsible for any errors that may have cost the Niners their first trip to the Super Bowl in 17 years.
"It's one of those things you need to take responsibility," said Williams. "Everyone is responsible for what they do on the ground. It's something that I was responsible and I made a mistake, and it is time to own up to it and move on. "
Williams also shrugged a shoulder injury he suffered in the third quarter. His father, Chief White Sox Kenny Williams, told ESPN Chicago, his son could play with a separated shoulder. Niners coach Jim Harbaugh said Monday an evaluation revealed that Williams was not a separation but a very painful shoulder. Harbaugh, who said he was unaware of the injury during the match, said Williams was "soldier through it."
"I take full responsibility for the mistake I made," said Williams. "You have to play with what you have. I was rung up. Everybody was rung up. C is just football. No one will be 100 percent. I was going very well. "
There was no indication that Williams had suffered another concussion Sunday, but Giants receiver Devin Thomas told the Newark Star-Ledger New York that struck Williams woozy during the game. Thomas, who recovered the two Williams escaped, said it was one of the giants' game plan.
After suffering a concussion on Dec. 24 in a win in Seattle, Williams said he thought it was the fourth concussion he had suffered.
"He had a lot of concussions," said Thomas after the game. "We were like 'We have to put a hit on this guy. ... (Giants safety Tyler) Sash did a great job beating him before, and he looked kind of dazed when he got up. I feel that makes a difference and he spat. "
Sash has been a great success on Williams at the end of a nine-yard punt return with just over three minutes in the third quarter. The tackle is somewhat obscured by the other players on the TV replay, but Williams hit Sash seemed legally in the upper body while Williams was falling to the ground. As in New York cornerback Prince Amukamara Sash congratulated on the face, Williams got back up and stayed on the ground for possession of San Francisco offensive later. Quarterback Alex Smith faked a sweep of Williams on the Niners' first down play.
As was the case Sunday night, Williams's teammates supported the beleaguered second-year wide out, who also received messages of support from retired NFL star Deion Sanders and Kurt Warner on Twitter.
The most vocal supporter of Williams was placekicker David Akers, who could relate to the label on goat Williams after his failures in a high stakes match. Last year, Akers, playing with the Eagles, missed field goal attempts of 34 and 41 yards in a loss of from 21 to 16 divisions, playoff in Green Bay.
"I am angry with the way people are treating it, absolutely," said Akers. "I think it's ridiculous. You know, get a grip on the subject of life. He went out and he put his soul there. This is what he does. He did not seek to another thing to an incredible game for this team. "
