Troy Williamson collects bereavement pay

Troy Williamson, receiver for the Vikings, attracted national attention when the Vikings docked his pay for missing last weeks game to attend his grandmother's funeral. It's not common for players to miss games, and the Vikings, like most NFL teams provide no paid time off for bereavement. However, it attracted a lot of attention from the ever-active sports radio world and the Vikings once again reversed course by announcing Saturday that they would pay him his $22 grand. Williamson will donate the funds to a charity in his grandmother's name.

The story was covered by both the Star Tribune and the http://www.twincities.com/vikings/ci_7429056. The stories were substantially the same, they cover the history of the controversy, how Childress changed his mind and Williamson's reaction to the change. However, in keeping with our recent focus on "reporting," there are a couple insightful quotes that make a difference.

The ST has what is perhaps the most quote by Williamson, it really sums up the whole debacle. "I'd throw this football thing away for my family." One has to wonder how this might change the feelings of the hyper-sensitive sports-talk world. And what a different impression it gives from the PP end-quote, which they took from a press release by WIlliamson's agent. "My wish is that the issue is over and that I can now go about being a football player." The difference in quotes almost creates different stories. While the release by Williamson's agent was practical and, all in all, probably the smartest move to avoid controversy. The direct quote by Williamson himself, probably relatively emotional, gave more insight into the scandal, more understanding for the reader of why it even happened.