Statement On Gregg Williams Audio And Decision To Release It

So why exactly did Gregg Williams openly talk about injuring 49ers players while he was being recorded?

Because he didn't think the audio would ever get out.

A source told PFT's Mike Florio that Gleason, who has been diagnosed with ALS, had joined up with Pamphilon to make private recordings that could some day be given to Gleason's son, so that he could get to know his dad after he was no longer alive. Gleason plans to issue a statement saying that Pamphilon was not authorized to publicize what he recorded.

That answers the question of why Williams would say something like that while he was being recorded -- he didn't think it would be revealed publicly. Of course, that doesn't justify it. He still said those things and it still reflects poorly on him, Sean Payton and the rest of the Saints organization, particularly in light of the league's warning before that playoff game.

The filmmaker who recorded Williams' speech the night before the Saints playoff game against the 49ers, Sean Pamphilon, posted at his website his experience following the Saints, and also provided this statement to The Times-Picayune on his decision to release the audio to the public:

"If this story hadn't broken and been made public, I would not have shared this. I would not have compromised my personal relationships and risked damaging Steve Gleason's relationship with the Saints. I would have crafted these words and sentiments for another forum, perhaps years down the road.

"If it weren't for the fact I feel deeply that parents of children playing football MUST pay attention to the influence of men who will sacrifice their kids for W's, I would not have written this.

"Some will call me releasing this audio for fame or money grab. True haters will call it exploitation.

"People of character and conscience call it was it is: tru."

For more on the Saints punishment, stay tuned SB Nation's ongoing StoryStream and head over to the Saints blog Canal Street Chronicles.