San Francisco 49ers' Kyle Williams Deserves Credit for Shouldering Blame

When a team loses in the NFL, especially in the Conference Championship Game, the fans and ownership want to be able to put the blame down on somebody or something.

With 23-year-old return man Kyle Williams muffing two punts for the San Francisco 49ers in the team’s loss to the New York Giants, almost the entire fanbase is hating on the youngster.

As easy as it would be for Williams to refuse to talk to the press and just disappear from the limelight for the offseason, that’s not the kind of man he is. He stood up to his teammates and media and faced the scrutiny that he knew was coming.

Williams told the San Francisco Chronicle about the play and how he takes full responsibility for the muffs on Sunday:

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It’s one of those things you have to take accountability for. Everybody is responsible for what they do on the field. It’s something that I was responsible for and I made a mistake, and it’s time to own up to it and move forward. I take full responsibility for the mistake that I did make. You have to play with what you got. I was dinged up. Everybody was dinged up. That’s just football. Nobody is going to be 100 percent. I was going fine.

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No excuses, no apologies.

While I will be the first to say that Williams shouldn’t say sorry for making a mistake on the field because that happens to everyone, the fact that he is taking responsibility for his actions will go a long way with the coaching staff.

As for what’s next for Williams, besides spending the offseason on avoiding muffed kicks, there are plenty of threats to deal with over the next few weeks.

Veteran kicker David Akers spoke with the San Francisco Chronicle as well, but Akers defended the returner and scolded those who threatened him:

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I’m irritated with the way people are treating him, absolutely. I think it’s ridiculous. You know, get a grip on what life’s about. He went out and he put his soul out there. That’s what he does. He was not trying to do anything other than make an incredible play for this team.

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FYI to fans, it’s really not cool to send anyone a death threat. Before you go texting or tweeting something your regret, put down the beer and give it 24 hours before sending the message.

Despite the madness that was the end of the game, I think that with an offseason worth of work, Jim Harbaugh can not only salvage Williams’ career but bring him up as one of the best returners in the league.

Consider this his wakeup call.

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