San Francisco 49ers’ wide receiver, Kyle Williams, responds after receiving death threats – NFL News
After the National Football Conference (NFC) championship game, memorable for more than just one reason, San Francisco 49ers’ wide receiver, Kyle Williams, on Monday, January 23, 2012, shared mixed reactions.
While responding to the feedback he received after the game, Williams thanked the fans who supported him and at the same time was shocked on the ‘death threats’ he received after the loss.
During the championship game against New York Giants, Williams fumbled the ball twice, and both led to go-ahead scores by the Giants.
The first one, during the third quarter, was a bouncing punt that was caught by Giants' Devin Thomas after the ball caromed off Williams' leg, and had it not been for that first fumble resulting in a Giants' touchdown, the game probably wouldn't have gone
into overtime.
The second fumble in overtime, with just a little over 9 minutes remaining, proved to be a decisive factor in 49ers' loss, as Williams ran just 5 yards after catching a punt, only to loose the ball and thus, allowing the opponents to set up a game-winning
field goal, once again courtesy of Thomas.
Soon after the loss, the fans took over the social networking sites and began abusing him. Some even prayed for his death and the rest cursed him as severely as they could.
Williams told that his family members had informed him after the game about the hatred many fans were carrying for him.
He asserted that facing criticism is part of his job and said that he would not be bothered by it.
"It was kind of shocking," he said, further adding:
"I kind of had been forewarned before I even got to the point where I could check it. I was forewarned by some of my family members and some of my friends that were there to not to look at the Twitter and the Facebook because it was going to be pretty bad."
A day earlier, Williams had stepped up to admit his mistake, and apologised to the fans for the blunder. He took full responsibility and said that he was not going to hide his face.
Contrary to the negative reactions, plenty of fans also came forward for Williams’ support.
Not only that, all his teammates also kept the team spirit alive and did not blame him for the loss. They clarified right after the game that no single entity is to be blamed for the loss.
Williams was thankful to all those who supported him.
"True 49ers fans have come to my support although they realise that I made a mistake, just like I realise it," he said. "I made a mistake in a key situation, but people realise I've busted my tail all year and I think my teammates realise that, too.”
Williams has got the support of his friends, family, teammates and many fans, but there are many who are still mad at him. He will have to work really hard next season to please these annoyed fans.
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