Preserving the bounty: Gregg Williams, the Saints, and the audio the NFl wants you to hear

Audio of Gregg Williams imploring players to violence only preserves the status quo. First, the facts: Sounding like Garrison Keillor doing an impression of Robert De Niro as Al Capone, we now have audiotape of former New Orleans Saints Defensive Coordinator Gregg Williams telling his team to intentionally maim their playoff opponents, the San Francisco 49ers. Recorded without his knowledge, Williams is heard saying, “We’ve got to do everything in the world to make sure we kill [49er running back] Frank Gore’s head.” Of quarterback Alex Smith, he says, “Every single one of you, before you get off the pile, affect the head. Early, affect the head. Continue, touch and hit the head.” Williams was already serving an indefinite suspension issued by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell for placing bounties on players from opposing teams.