Cary Williams feels a certain way about the New England Patriots, and he has never been shy about letting everyone know.
About two weeks before his team’s joint practice sessions in New England, the Philadelphia Eagles cornerback decided to bring up “Spygate,” calling the Patriots “cheaters” and pointing out that they “haven’t won a Super Bowl since they got caught.”
A week later, Williams stood by his comments.
So in the aftermath of Friday night’s preseason matchup, during which Williams intercepted quarterback Tom Brady and returned it 77 yards for a touchdown, everyone expected more of the same from vocal cornerback.
What they got instead was an apology.
“It was just mutual respect between two guys,” Williams told reporters, claiming that he went up to Bill Belichick Friday night to bury the hatchet on his previous comments. “Coach Belichick respected me, and I respected him. I respect the organization, and I told him I was sorry for the words that I said.
“… That was a situation where, playing these guys in the playoffs, you kind of develop a hate for them, and you try to use anything to get your mind going. … In that situation, I could have chosen my words a little bit wiser.”
Before joining Philadelphia, Williams spent four seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, who met the Patriots three times in the playoffs during his tenure there. Now, he says, that’s water under the bridge.
“I have nothing but the utmost respect for the organization and him as a GM and head coach,” Williams added. “He just said there were no hard feelings, and he appreciated the comments I made this week. It was just two guys respecting each other and understanding there is some history there.
“It is not necessarily bad blood but the spirit of competition. I said some things that I wish I could take back.”
Photo via Bill Streicher/USA TODAY Sports Images
