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Vikings Return Withheld Paycheck To Williamson

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The Associated Press

Published: November 11, 2007

MINNEAPOLIS - Grieving Troy Williamson will get his last paycheck after all.

Minnesota Vikings coach Brad Childress announced the change of heart Saturday after a weekly meeting with veteran players on his leadership committee.

The Vikings withheld Williamson's check after he missed the game against San Diego last week to remain in South Carolina following the death of his grandmother.

"I think the important thing is everybody grieves differently," Childress said. "That's the thing that I learned, or we learned, in this. In the end, it's not important to be right, but to get it right."

In addition, Williamson's older brother Carlton has been in and out of coma after a car accident in September.

Williamson thanked those who spoke up for him and offered support to his family during a trying time. He said he'll donate the returned check of more than $25,000 to charity in honor of his grandmother, Celestine.

Childress said Williamson would play today against Green Bay "in all likelihood."

POLICY CHANGE: The NFL told its officiating crews to start ejecting players for flagrant helmet-to-helmet hits.

The new policy was outlined in a memo from supervisor of officials Mike Pereira, which was obtained by The Associated Press. It followed two fines last weekend for what the officiating department had determined were hits against players in defenseless positions.

One fine was against Washington Redskins safety LaRon Landry, who will forfeit a game check of $16,764 for a helmet-to-helmet hit on New York Jets quarterback Kellen Clemens. The other was against Philadelphia defensive tackle LeJuan Ramsey, who was fined his game check of $21,176 for spearing Dallas' Julius Jones.

PANTHERS: Concerned over the status of Vinny Testaverde, Carolina promoted quarterback Drew Olson to the 53-man roster to possibly serve as the backup in today's game against Atlanta.

If Testaverde, who has a sore right Achilles tendon, can't play against the Falcons, undrafted rookie Matt Moore would start.

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