On the night before Gregg Williams’ final game as the Saints’ defensive coordinator, he gave a speech to the team’s defensive players. In an audio tape, which was released to Mike Silver of Yahoo, Williams made specific references to inflicting physical punishment on San Francisco players, in the game that was to be played the following day.
Williams’ speech was captured by filmmaker Sean Pamphilon, who released part of the speech and you can watch it below. Pamphilon is working on a documentary about former Saints player Steve Gleason, who is suffering from ALS.
Williams is heard saying, “Kill the head and the body will die.” He specifically told them to go for the head of 49ers running back Frank Gore.
“We’ve got to do everything in the world to make sure we kill Frank Gore’s head,” Williams told his players. “We want him running sideways. We want his head sideways.”
With regard to 49ers quarterback Alex Smith: “We hit [expletive] Smith right there. (While pointing to his chin)” and followed that statement saying, “Remember me, I’ve got the first one. (Williams rubs his fingers together indicating cash payment)… Go lay that [expletive] out.”
In reference to receiver Kyle Williams, who had a concussion earlier in the season, he said, “We need to find out in the first two series of the game, the little wide receiver, number 10, about his concussion. We need to [expletive] put a lick on him right now.”
In reference to 49ers running back Kendall Hunter: “Little 32, we want to knock the [expletive] out of him.” He also referenced late hits in piles when he said, “Every single one of you, before you get off the pile, affect the head.”
The Saints’ 36-32 loss to the 49ers was the last game Williams coached with the Saints. He took the defensive coordinator position with the Rams shortly after the season, and following announcement of the Saints pay-to-injure scheme, Williams has been indefinitely suspended by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.
In an email to PFT, NFL spokesman Greg Aiello wrote, “We are not commenting on specific pieces of evidence that we have other than what we have released in our statements.”
