Vikings reverse field on player pay issue

MINNEAPOLIS, Nov. 10 (UPI) -- The Minnesota Vikings reversed themselves Saturday and won't dock wide receiver Troy Williamson a week's pay for missing a game after his grandmother died.

Williamson, who missed Minnesota's game against San Diego, then announced that in memory of his grandmother, Celestine, he will donate the week's pay -- $25,588.24 -- to a charitable foundation to be determined, The Star Tribune reported.

"I wanted to release this statement to thank the thousands of supporters who spoke up for me on my family's behalf," Williamson said. "We also want to thank them for their outpouring of emotion and support."

Vikings Coach Brad Childress said the turnaround came after a meeting of his veteran player council Friday, the Minneapolis newspaper reported.

"It's important to convey that this was never a penalty," Childress said. "I just want to emphasize that I'm grateful to have a great leadership group and great owners in the (Zygi) Wilf family. We had an open and candid discussion with our leadership group and spoke at length about it."