Williams' family response

From: Dave Williams

Sent: Tuesday, January 29, 2008 10:13 AM

To: Ken Armstrong

Subject: Curtis Williams

Hi Ken

This is Dave Williams I'm the brother of Curtis. The story in the Times was very disturbing to me. Most of what was written came as a shock to me. I had never heard about most of the troubles my brother was in. I'm really not surprised that I wasn't told as I'm the strict one in the family and would not have put up with that type of behavior from my family members. Stories like these need to come out but they need to come out sooner rather than later. Especially for me in Curtis' case I would like to have had a opportunity to help change his behavior. Now that the Times has open this can of worms, what's going to be done to fix future problem with this brand College Athletes? I would hope these articles were geared at effecting change so in the future we would not have read about the ongoing misconduct of college athletes.

When colleges are out recruiting athletes they look for the" Biggest, Meanest and Toughest" player they can find. They then bring them to a place( College Football Programs) that teaches them that they have to be violent, physical and intimidating if they want to be a contributing member of the team. That's being taught to young minds 6-8 hours a day. Football teaches them when pushed, you push back, when you get hit in the mouth you hit back. Some of them are not going to know where the "Football Field" ends and normal behavior begins. At age 18 to 22 some kids are not going to be able to control there emotions when they are under pressure. They are going to do what they have been taught, "Fight" no matter who the opposition is. Unfortunately in most cases that turns out to be those closet to the Athletes or the Communities around them.

The NCAA and the Universities have to become more involved. The NCAA is supposed to be there to help the College Athletes. If the passed 3 chapter written by the Times is not a cry for help then we just can't hear. It should be mandatory that all College football, Basketball and other physical sport athletes attend 4 years + of Anger - Behavior management classes. As long as they are a part of the Teams they should be required to attend these classes. I think the Universities and the NCAA has an obligation to the Athletes and the Communities that support the sports programs. Someone has to teach these young men how to be good citizen. Who better than the people who are benefiting from there action on the fields or courts. Universities owe it to the Athletes to teach them with the same tenacity how to control themselves off the field as they do on the field.

I apologize to Michelle and the City of Seattle for my brothers action.

Sincerely,

Dave Williams

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Submitted Date: 01/28/2008 10:13 pm

Dear Nick Perry,

Thank you. Thank you for coming all the way to Alaska to ask me in person what happened to me so many years ago. Thank you for having the integrity to be honest with me from the get-go about what you were writing this story about before it was published. Thank you for understanding my concerns as a mother, my love for my daughter, and my deceased husband, Curtis. Thank you for your kind-heartedness, and your willingness to get to know me for me. I know that many will probably vilify you for being inquisitive and investigative. I don't.

As I told you when you were here, you're just doing your job. I respect that. To those that question, Curt was a wonderful man, athlete, husband, and father...when he wanted to be. Other times he wasn't. So what, I've put all this in the past and I have not let one person degrate him to this day in the precsence of our beloved daughter. Not once. Not ever. Yes, We had problems, we went our separate ways. That is just that. Nothing more, nothing less. Let Curt rest in peace. Please do not disrespect his memory or his legacy. I dont, and I don't wish for anyone else to either. May he rest in Paradise...

with love,

Michelle Williams