Defenders defensive coordinator Gregg Williams coached with a heavy heart during Sunday’s XFL North championship game vs. the Sea Dragons.
His father-in-law, longtime MLB player and broadcaster Mike Shannon, died Saturday at 83. Williams, the former Bills coach and interim Browns coach, chose to honor Shannon the best way he knew how, by being on the sideline with his team.
Williams paid tribute in a pregame interview with ESPN’s Cole Cubelic, who asked whether he would be OK coaching. Answered Williams:
.@XFLDefenders defensive coordinator Gregg Williams is coaching with a heavy heart today ❤️ pic.twitter.com/jQ81khDIfd
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) April 30, 2023
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“Well, your question made me think about him, my father-in-law, as you’ll see: ‘In memory of Mike Shannon,'” Williams said, displaying the message on the back of his play sheet. “He would be very upset with me if I go soft. He would be very upset with me.
“When I was the head coach of the Cleveland Browns, he came to every game. And he and Jim Brown would sit in the back of the room and laugh if I appeared soft. So we’re not going to be soft. Mike’s in a better place right now. No more pain. He’s with his wife … and I’ll be…
