NFL notebook: Williams apologizes for Saints’ bounty scandal
BY Associated Press
Friday, February 08, 2013
2/08/13 at 5:55 AM
Gregg Williams thanked NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell for reinstating him and apologized, taking "full responsibility" for his role in the New Orleans' bounty scandal.
The NFL reinstated Williams on Thursday morning, and the Tennessee Titans hired him as a senior defensive assistant.
"I take full responsibility and apologize for my previous actions, and I've used this year to reorganize my life and put focus on positive energy," Williams said, reading from a statement.
The league issued a statement saying that Goodell cited several reasons for reinstating Williams, including Williams accepting responsibility for his role in the bounty program, his commitment to never be involved in any pay-for-performance system and pledging to teach safe play and respect for the rules.
Williams, suspended indefinitely last March, is the last person involved in the scandal to be reinstated by league. New Orleans coach Sean Payton had his suspension lifted Jan. 22.
'Redskins' takes a beating at symposium: As a Native American, former Colorado Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell lists four nicknames he finds offensive: savage, squaw, buck and redskin.
"It's fine if you want to be a savage - use your own picture," he said.
Hurtful names and racial stereotypes were discussed and dissected Thursday in a daylong symposium at the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian, only a short stroll from the U.S. Capitol and right in the heart of Washington Redskins country.
The Redskins, in particular, took a beating from panelists and audience members in a packed auditorium that included many Native Americans and others joining them in solidarity. Organizers say the team did not respond to an invitation to participate.
Ray Lewis not interested in return as coach: Ray Lewis doesn't want to make the transition from player to coach - not yet anyway.
Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said Thursday that Lewis, who retired after the Super Bowl, "has not expressed an interest to coach."
Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti says the team is considering installing a statue of Lewis around M&T Bank Stadium in the near future.
