Some of the Kyle Williams death threats received include: "I hope you, your wife, kids and family die, you deserve it," "I hope you die in your sleep tonight," and "Jim Harbaugh, please give @KyleWilliams_10 the game ball. And make sure it explodes when he gets in his car."
If you don't follow football, Kyle Williams is the most obvious scapegoat for the San Francisco 49ers overtime loss to the New York Giants over the weekend. Williams is also the son of Chicago White Sox General Manager Ken Williams, reports the Associated Press.
In the fourth quarter of the game that would determine who would play the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl, Kyle Williams made two critical mistakes on punt returns, one which put the Giants in field goal position to end the game. Now Williams is dealing with a peculiar workplace hazard for a pro athlete who plays before adoring -- and sometimes psychotic -- fans.
When you screw up at work, you'll probably get reprimanded. In the worst case, you can get fired. But in almost no situation, will a multitude of total strangers get worked up into a lather and then threaten to kill you and your family. Yet that is the truth in the irrational world of the NFL.
So when there is a potential workplace hazard like being murdered at work, employers are generally required to take steps to prevent such harms. For example, if lab scientists work with dangerous chemicals, the employer may require the use of goggles and other protective gear.
In Kyle Williams' case, the San Francisco 49ers may want to take some simple precautionary measures as well. These can include removing any public mention of where Williams lives, limiting access to team facilities, and perhaps investigating particularly harassing conduct.
Kyle Williams death threats for a mistake made in a game are a bit extreme. As fans can be a bit extreme, the 49ers should take reasonable steps to prevent harm to its young receiver.
Related Resources:
- Find a Chicago Employment Attorney (FindLaw)
- Kyle Williams receives threats on Twitter (Chicago Sun-Times)
- OSHA and Workplace Safety (FindLaw)
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