Well it isn't like the Vikings organization is known as the example of the class of the league. With all the publicity the "Sexboat Scandal" received in 2005, the organization was forced to rebuild.
In 2007 the Vikings don't have another boat scandal, they have another image problem. The Vikings have lowered the bar again.
Last Sunday WR Troy Williamson missed the Vikings win over the Chargers that saw Adrian Peterson break the NFL record for rushing yards (296) in a game and surpass 1,000 yards after only eight games. Williamson was in South Carolina attending his maternal Grandmother's funeral.
from Twincities.com:
After the death last week of his maternal grandmother, Williamson rejoined the Vikings on Wednesday and participated in practice. But he lamented that he could not spend more time with his family, particularly his brother Carlton, who is still in a coma after a car accident, even after the club withheld his paycheck.
"I don't care if (the Vikings) would have took my pay for the rest of the year, I was going home," Williamson said. "It wouldn't have mattered to me. No matter what (Brad Childress) would have said, if I had to stay up here or not, I would have been at my house (in South Carolina) for that week."
Williamson regretted that he could not spend more time with Carlton after his car accident two months ago. But when his grandmother Celestine, who helped raise him and taught him to cook and drive, died, Williamson said he had to go home.
"I feel like the thing with my brother, I let that slide," Williamson said. "This is something I couldn't put on the back burner. But when this came up, I had to get up out of here."
Williamson declined to comment, when asked if Childress was understanding.
"It's really been hard for me," Williamson said. "I was glad to go home and see my family. It was something that really helped me. I just got to push through the season."
I guess they don't have Bereavement pay, they have a death tax. How is it that an organization can do this to someone who has "play" in his job title. When you play football or any other sport, keeping perspective on life is getting dimmer it seems. Even our armed forces come back from a real war for something like this. They don't get docked a weeks pay do they?
" The Minnesota Vikings are reacting to public pressure -- and public embarassment -- by giving back a game check to wide receiver Troy Williamson for missing a game to attend his grandmother's funeral. The Vikings probably were within their rights not to pay a player who did not participate in a game. But that doesn't make it right. As I once heard when I covered horse racing, somebody who'd gotten the shaft said: "That may be correct, but it ain't right." The Vikings need a director of common sense."
First who made the decision to withhold his check??? He's a #### first class. God, Family, Work in that order.... Next they haven't made him a very strong part of their passing game so what the "H". It is time for our new owners to grab ahold and steer the ship before it runs aground. Starts with the owner, and then with the GM and then the coach.. do something Wilf
Where do I even begin in this situation? I suppose the Vikings do have the right to with hold a game check if the player doesnt play, BUT, that doesnt mean that they actually have to excerise that right. Give me a break. You would think that the organization would encourage him to take as much time as he needs, support his decision, and if he decides to take some time away, they should welcome him back when he is ready to return. Some of you talk about the Pats lacking respect and class. I think this is one of the most disgusting stories I have heard in quite some time, but, on the other hand, I am somewhat thrilled that the Vikes are this stingy and insensitive, because now no one can bash the Pats anymore. Way to go Vikes. 90% of America is pissed at the Pats, and you managed to trump them.
For goodness sakes people, really..... You are making assumptions and coments about the vikings without even hearing the whole story. I would bet most of you guys are not vikings fans and would love to see the team get more negative publicity. Give it up this is a story to get fox sports more viewers its obvious thats why it is on the front page you bums. Let troy take care of his own issues and with the vikings behind closed doors where a team should do it. The vikings are one year from a contender and all you haters want to dig up dirt and sink the ship. Cry me a river if he wants to leave he should wait a couple months because we will be releasing him soon anyway, what a bust.
Why should he continue to get paid for an extended funeral leave? What kind of work place does that, Troy made the decision to come back and play. He could have stayed longer back home in South Carolina, but HE chose to come back for the game. It's all about the money. Your article is totally misleading. Nobody put a gun to Troy's head and told him he had to play. If anyone lowered the bar on class, it's you bob260505. From a business perspective, Williamson should be cut. He drops the ball more than he catches it.
Last edited by bradjohnsonstinks on November 9th at 7:54 AM.
What a stupid article, this is the best story you could come up with? Williamson should have to also pay back everything he was paid from the time he was drafted. He should be cut, and so should the #### who wrote this #### of an article!!
I am a Vikings fan and I feel ashamed that they wtih held his check. They have no class as an organization and that's why we lost Moss, that's why R.Smith retired, that's why K.Stringer died, and that's why we will lose A.P. after his initial contract is up.
yo robert...the vikings may b a contender for the playoffs in the #### nfc, but they have no chance againt playoff teams come playoff time...and williamson, wether he is a bust or not, should get time with his family and not get docked his pay, ur a #### for not realizing this
This a joke. I am sorry to hear about his misfortunes. Bet nobody gets this long off for a parents death or another death in the family. He got time off. And for not getting paid. How much time does this guy get off in the offseason. He gets paid millions to play game! The Vikings are a business, not a "lets just let people do whatever they want even if we are paying for them".
And I wouldn't talk up your AFC too much. The two leagues are basically head to head outside of Pats and Colts. Look where all the up and coming teams are.....Good luck when father time catches up, be like the 90's when the NFC was destroying the AFC...
Pathetic organization to have to do this to a player only doing what is right of anybody who respects and loves their family. You have players getting arrested and doing all kinds of other #### and they have so much leeway before something is ever done to them. Sad day for the Vikings. I am a PATS fan and if the team ever did anything like this I would really have to question the teams ethics and heart.
I have been vikings fan since I was a little kid and I am appalled that the Front office would do that to Troy Williamson. They really need to reconsider that. They are going to have repercussions over this one. What a shame. Troy, you did right thing and they need to give you your money back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Most companies give 3 days off from work for the death of an extended family member. He took 8 days, including the one day he actually needs to be there. He could have taken care of his personal business, returned for the game and went to the funeral the next day. Name one employer that would, continue to pay someone when they stop coming to work. It appears to me the team told him to take as much time as he needed, with the understanding he wouldn’t get paid for the time he missed. Seems like a great trade off... If I would have left for a week I would be looking for a new job.
Last edited by StillAVikesFan on November 9th at 9:20 AM.
I am willing to bet that there is more to this story. There is no way the Vikings organization would disrespect one of its players like the article indicates, I am quite certain that there are untold circumstances and contractual obligations that are not coming forward at this time. I am a long, long time Vikings fan and will give them the benefit of the doubt on this one.. there just has to be a better explanation that what we are seeing.
Good for Troy! Most respectable companies will pay 5 days for an immediate family member. Which is 7 days including the weekend. This is not abnormal to take this time for an out of state funeral and arrangements. This team needs to place more focus on the players that were at practice to improve, not dwell on a family tragedy. What idiots. And yes he should be paid. What a respectable grandson!
I have always said the the Vikings could never go all the way because they don't have 'heart'. Well; this last action by Childress show they lack heart in other ways. Yes the Vikings are loosing on the field. Childress actions have made the club a looser.
working in the nfl is not like most jobs thay work for 16 to 19 weeks not including pre season most starters don't play if there lucky my job has the right to tell me no on vacation days why not him he was not out of line to leave to his grand mothers funeral but he did not play so he does not get paid thats simple the vikings gotta get there money out of this kid one way or another i wish he were fined for every ball that he lets hit him in the face this bust needs to be cut don't get me wrong i still think childress needs to go he brings more washed up eagles in to this town when andy reid is gone i hope the eagles offer the job to childress and we get some one worth something
Last edited by ebromo on November 9th at 10:37 AM.
Come on...WHAT?? are you thinking???? I think the worst would be to not be able to attend the funeral of one of you beloved family members....especially gramma. I think if I were to get into trouble with my employer for going to my gramma's final farewell I would quit. No job is worth losing anything for going to a funeral. Come on Vikings what would you do if it was your family member...would you attend the funeral? I always liked the Vikings but will now look again at an organization who would do that...I hope you get beat good...Good bye Vikings.
bob260505
That lone act by Williamson is what you'd expect in a friend or relative. And Williamson shows that he values that more than what the game has to offer him. As he knows that above all else. As quickly as life can be given to us. It can be taken away instantaneously. I don't blame him for doing what he did. I'm sure that his teammates knew where he was coming from on this issue ?
See my latest post and let me know what you think as to the merits of the piece ?
I'd like your honest opinion on the subject matter ? It's titled I's Got's Mine's Whose Got's Your's ?
All you Viking haters out there need to shut-up! Troy had a GAME check withheld for crying out loud. Last time I checked he didn't play the game. Case closed. It's not like they took the man's signing bonus money or fined him. He has to earn that game check, by playing the freaking game! And like one reader before me so cleverly wrote. The Vikings have been generously handing that loser game checks for three years and he has yet to produce anything that resembles a NFL wide receiver. If anything he should fill lucky to even be in a situation to have a team withhold a check. That guy should be on the street. But all you non Viking fans (and a few of you pretenders) out there just see some poor rich kid getting punished. Not the case. Wake-up and only write about what you know. Leave the blogging to the rest of us. Peterson "All Day"
He did what a man must do. God bless you, brother. Grandma gave him much more than the Vikings took from him. He's still ahead of the game. I applaud the man!
Last edited by eutaxy on November 9th at 11:42 AM.
I am a long time Viking fan since 1972 and I have seen the class of this orginazation sink. When William Perrys father died the team and coach came to the funeral in South Carolina. The Vikings took this mans paycheck. Who will want to play at the Vikings now? All you idiots that posted in the positive like bradjohnsonstinks is a ####. A football team is that a team. The rest of the team will be thinking the same THING when someone in there family gets sick. The morale of the team will be shot. I got a better idea Childress hasn't showed up as a coach since he has been there. Dock his pay along with the owner of the Vikes. Good luck on getting a new stadium now.
i feel that the worth of the vikings organization is close to i billion ... to get negative publicity over 25k is penny wize and dollar foolish.... i bleed purple for my entire life this cheap #### from philly just purchased the team then brings in a ######## to run it .... the value of troy to the team doesn't mean anything.as a man we all grieve diferently .. and when you have a loser like traviris jackson at qb how do you expect any of the wr's to develope ....the vikings gave the statement to the press not troy how ####' dumb is that .....they wanted to make a statment that we dont pay for funerals .... it could of been handled in a more professional manner .it may be the cheap #### from phillys business but it is our team .... my sourcses say this owner wants to flip the team for a huge profit .........by debating the merits of the viking suits makes us all cheap we gots a big game wit da cheese heads .....go viks all day...
Last edited by tigervidmar on November 9th at 1:05 PM.
djone10 You have to be a complete ####, your a Pats fan talking about the Vikings have no class. Your team is a bunch of #### clown cheaters with Randy Moss on the team, get a clue dip ####
To all who disagree that Troy was wrong and the Viking was right for withholding his check and that he should be cut. First of all, when it comes to death in the family from Grandma, GrandDad, Great Aunt's/Uncle's, Cousin that you have a close relatationship with it's very important to attend and greive with your family. To all who disagree with Troy get a life and realize if that was what would you do? Regardless of his play or statics
this is going to far. as an american indian veteran of a long length of service. 30 yrs. i thought that that america had gotten over being a bigoted and unselfish place. i just wonder if any of the front office has served their country for 30 yrs? and this is the most assinine thing i have ever heard of. give the man a break. i fought for this man to have the right to have a safe home and family. and as a medic i think that this is more deplorable than all of their last bad public display of disgrace i have ever encounted abouty the purple and gold. i have always supported this tem even when goning out onto the field to pick up some of this country's biggest and best one by the name of riggins. we lost his foot but he over came the trip and is one of my idols for he had courage underfire. does the front office of the vikings have the courage to say sorry we made a mistake??? i dought and if this young man had played for any other team they would have pulled the plane out for him. what a bunck of whimps. and yes i'm a woman but i'm not a whimp. i'm proud of what i have done with my life scars and all, and if your love your freedom you need to thank a vet. no matter what war or polital conflict. kricket 61 texas
Am I missing something here?
He wanted to go to the funeral, he went to the funeral.
He didn't play, so he doesn't get paid for that game.
I don't see how it makes any organization look bad.
I don't get paid for the days I am not at work.(no matter what the reason)When my mum passed, I took 3 vacation days off.(that was all I could get)
Robert, you sound like quite the athlete ( wiffleball, hackysack, dodgeball, fantasy ####)Wow, I'm not impressed. Anyway, this whole thing is blown out of proportion. IT'S NOT A FINE. They withheld a game check for which he didn't play in.
PERIOD. I don't know where you work, but I don't get paid not to work. He is a multi millionaire.
One game check isn't squat.
You have got to be kidding me!! Troy makes less than 500k a season in the first place and I think the Vikings are actually getting a deal at that price for a WR like Troy, who ever docked his pay is a frickin #### and needs to get a life....LOSER
Could be worse. Remember Les Steckel? He'd have argued to have him shot. Sir...yes, sir!!! However...Vikings blow and no matter what the real story may be...if THEY released this to the sports reporters and didn't expect any backlash then the leadership is completely whacko!!! If they are sending a message me thinks the wrong one was received by people...and obviously by Williamson. Of course there are two side to everything but I think you have to question anyone who has to write himself a note to remind himself to get Adrian Peterson the ball 25 times a game. But...who am I? I am NOT a Vikings fan and I live in Minnesota. If they hadn't drafted Peterson my Sunday's would be filled with doing something other than watching Viking football. Oh...and I used to be a fan but front office mess-ups and lack of discipline in the ranks kind of turned me off to this team. Where is Keith Millard when you need a stand-up roll model from the Vikings?
Just read two articles on this subject. "Organizationally speaking" as Brad Childress referred to the fine...Childress and Zygi look like a couple of heartless idiots. Whatever their intention was or is...they look very bad here. And they don't need to look any worse than they previously did.
He didn't get docked for attending the funeral. He got docked for skipping the game. He could have done both. He is lucky to have a job in the NFL because the guy can't cathc a ball. The Vikings have done him a huge favor by keeping him on the roster. People die all the time and just because he is rich doesn't mean he can take more time off of work then the rest of America.
Has this front office forgot where this team plays?
YOUR IN THE MIDWEST!!!
Family is has always been the foundation for every individual. They didn't just slap a fine to TW. They just showed their entire fan population where their values stand vs ours.
Its business people, i respect Williamson's decision,but im sure he had some clue that being gone from the team that long would have resulted in some kind of dock of pay.. if you don't work, you don't get paid..It's not a "heartless" decision at all, you can't pay a guy for not playing. As i said i completely respect Williamson's decision, family comes before football, but this has been blown out of proportion
I find it terrible that i read an artice entitled "Vike's Fine WR Williamson for attending grandmother's funeral" NOT THE CASE "Vikes fine WR Williamson for missing 3 practices & 1 game" (correct me if im wrong on the # of practices" what a terrible attempt to bash the vike's organization. grow up people, u can't pay people for not playing
man im a vikings fan
but seriously how could they
be like that when troy lost her grandmother
and his bother is in a coma rite now
im 100% behind troy with this
Flint Michigan -
-bob260505@ya hoo.com-
Three time defending (division 2) four square champion
1993 United States Hacky-Sack Champion (runner up in 92 and 94) - finishing move "the Stall"
MVP of 1986 Whiffleball World Series - WWS was played in the side yard and had longer home runs.
2006 1st place league Champion fantasy baseball, 2003 and 2004 second place in fantasy football, 2003 second place in fantasy baseball and hockey, The last person out in Dodgeball in a record 17 of 22 games played in 1992 and led the gym class with over 175 kills in 92 - 93 (averaged 8.18 kills per game)
bob260505@yah oo.com
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Last Sunday WR Troy Williamson missed the Vikings win over the Chargers that saw Adrian Peterson break the NFL record for rushing yards (296) in a game and surpass 1,000 yards after only eight games. Williamson was in South Carolina attending his maternal Grandmother's funeral.
