Williams sues Romanowski

[bob_barron 0]

Associated Press

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Oakland Raiders linebacker Bill Romanowski was sued Thursday by teammate Marcus Williams, seriously injured when they fought during practice.

 

The suit, filed in Alameda County court, seeks unspecified damages for alleged battery, negligence and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

 

 

Williams celebrates the Raiders' AFC Championship win last season.

 

Romanowski instigated the fight Aug. 24 when he ripped off Williams' helmet and punched him in the face, breaking a bone around his left eye. The fracture put Williams on injured reserve -- ending his season before it began.

 

No criminal charges were filed, and Romanowski apologized publicly several days later.

 

On Thursday, Williams' agent said that was not enough.

 

"Seeing Bill's somewhat cavalier attitude in terms of apologizing after each incident and saying it wasn't going to happen again and never being taken to task for it was getting underneath Marcus' skin," agent Lee Kolligian said.

 

The 37-year-old Romanowski has been known for fanatical behavior during his 16-year NFL career. This was the latest physical episode involving Romanowski, who missed just one day of practice after the fight.

 

The lawsuit includes two graphic photos showing close-ups of Williams' swollen and bleeding eye socket and asks that Romanowski pay for Williams' medical expenses.

 

Romanowski has not played since a loss Sept. 22 in Denver because of a series of concussions and is considering retirement. He was in Pittsburgh on Thursday being evaluated, Raiders coach Bill Callahan said.

 

Romanowski has been called a racist for, among other things, spitting in the face of 49ers receiver J.J. Stokes during a game in 1997. He has been called a headhunter for a vicious helmet-to-helmet hit on quarterback Kerry Collins. Three years ago, he was accused of illegally obtaining prescription diet drugs, charges on which he was later acquitted.

 

Calls to Romanowski's agent, Tom Condon, were not immediately returned.

 

Cases in which professional sports teammates sue each other are rare.

 

"I did not find a situation where one teammate has injured another teammate during a practice in this way," said Williams' lawyer James Brosnahan, who has tussled with the Raiders in court before. "And for good reason. Teammates have to treat each other with respect."

 

Brosnahan represented the Oakland Coliseum in a case that ended in August when a jury decided stadium officials owed the franchise $34.2 million for luring it back from Los Angeles eight years ago on false promises of a packed stadium. The team had sought closer to $1 billion and though both sides claimed victory, they also said they would appeal.

 

Romanowski and Williams fought at the end of a running play during a 9-on-7 drill.

 

Williams, who played mostly on special teams last season, was taken to a local hospital for tests and has been seeing eye specialists since.

 

"Marcus Williams wants to continue as an Oakland Raider but this assault has put his future in doubt," Brosnahan said. He said that while Williams will lose playing time this year, "the big issue is whether he can come back and play" at all.

 

Williams' agent said the Raiders have kept tabs on Williams.

 

"They're very interested in Marcus' condition and they have been inquiring about how he's coming along," Kolligian said.

 

Brosnahan said it would probably be a year before the case goes to trial.

 

The case is Marcus Williams v. William Romanowski, 03-122024.

[Guest Choken One]

it annoys me it took this long, guess he figured since romo isn't gonna play...he can sue his ass.

[kkktookmybabyaway 0]

Williams ought to sue the Raiders organization if he really wants to get paid...

Edited October 17, 2003 by kkktookmybabyaway

[Dr. Tom 0]

Good. I hope he bleeds that piece of shit dry.

 

The only bad part is that Romo wouldn't be able to remember going broke.

[Guest Just J]

That's bullshit. I am sure that Romo was provoked in one way or another.

 

It takes two people to fight. He's just mad he got his ass beat. Stupid S.O.B.

[Dr. Tom 0]

That's bullshit. I am sure that Romo was provoked in one way or another.

 

It takes two people to fight. He's just mad he got his ass beat. Stupid S.O.B.

Just like he was "provoked" to spit in JJ Stokes' face? Just like he was "provoked" into hurling racial slurs at opposing players? Just like he was "provoked" into delivering illegal helmet-first tackles for years?

 

Bah. Realize one thing, Johnson: Bill Romanowksi is a waste of sperm and egg. He's been a racist and a dirty player his entire career. ESPN showed a photo if Williams' face after the attack and it's quite gruesome. There's no reason Romo shouldn't pay his medical bills and then some, since it's Romo's fault that his face looks like a blasting zone.

 

I despise Bill Romanowski, and I am sincerely glad for every piece of misfortune that's befallen him recently.

[Ripper 0]

Yeah, getting in a fight on the football field is one thing...it happens all the time. If they were in the locker room, maybe I'd say, well he just lost. But to pull a team mates...fuck...anyones HELMET OFF and then punch them is basically all Romo and he needs to pay for it. A scuffle is one thing, but what he did was malicious.

[starvenger 0]

When someone signs with the Raiders, do they get a "sue someone for free" card or something?

[Guest Just J]

If Williams was too big of a pussy to take an ass whippin he should have kept his mouth shut. Romo shouldn't have to pay for anything.

[Ripper 0]

If Williams was too big of a pussy to take an ass whippin he should have kept his mouth shut. Romo shouldn't have to pay for anything.

He ended his fucking season AFTER PULLING OFF HIS HELMET AND PUNCHING HIM. THAT is being a pussy. You are expected to be a adult on the damn field. A scuffle here or there, that will happen, but this shit went above and beyond what should be expected. Any chance this guy would have had to show his usefulness to the team(and being the Raiders this year, he very well could have had a chance) is gone because some Roided up asshole with a history of having a attitude problem essentially a cheap shot.

[Guest Just J]

A cheap shot? Please! It takes a good bit to take off another persons helmet without him knowing it. Williams knew what was coming and probably added fuel to the fire. He knew who he was fucking with and got his ass whipped. Now he should be a man and take it and go on.

[Ripper 0]

A cheap shot?  Please!  It takes a good bit to take off another persons helmet without him knowing it.  Williams knew what was coming and probably added fuel to the fire.  He knew who he was fucking with and got his ass whipped.  Now he should be a man and take it and go on.

 

fucking X...

 

Basically, I guess the people he kicked in the head after plays, ripping off eddie Georges helmet, breaking Collins Jaw...they all brought it on themselves when they played football. They should have known that a asshole who doesn't respect the rules was playing and what....quit?

 

The same way all those people KNEW WHAT THEY WERE GETTING.

 

The fight was at the end of a play when WIlliams blocked Bill and BILL INSTIGATED the fight as he himself has admitted. There is a reason HE was the one suspended and HE was the one doing the "I'm so sorry I acted so classless" speech.

 

And obviously you never played football, because removing someones helmet and punching them is a cheap shot just as much as throwing a shirt over someones head and punching them is.

[Guest Just J]

I played football, but if you ever tried to remove another players head gear you would more then likely have your ass kicked before you'd be able to remove it.

 

There is still no reason to sue.

[Ripper 0]

I played football, but if you ever tried to remove another players head gear you would more then likely have your ass kicked before you'd be able to remove it.

 

There is still no reason to sue.

So he ends a players year, possibly career and he should say "Thats old crazy Bill" and be HAPPY about it? WTF is sue worthy.

 

If someone broke all of your fingers and you did Data Entry for a living, do you sue or do you just say "Well...thems the breaks." IF someone kicks a singer in the throat, they should get over it?

[Guest Just J]

If they were broken because of a fight I had with another person then yes.

 

Williams is a pussy for sueing a man for getting his ass kicked.

[Ripper 0]

So what you are saying is Bill Romanowski SAYING that it was his fault, and taking TOTAL responsibility for it means absolutlely nothing and that Williams obviously had it coming for fighting Bill?

[Guest Just J]

So what you are saying is Bill Romanowski SAYING that it was his fault, and taking TOTAL responsibility for it means absolutlely nothing and that Williams obviously had it coming for fighting Bill?

Go back and read. That isn't what I said. They fought, he lost. Romo had to say that. I doubt if he meant it. Williams shouldn't have allowed Romo to take his helmet off if he was going to sue once he got his ass kicked.

 

And he could have stopped him. It isn't easy to take another players helemt off if he doesn't want you to.

[Ripper 0]

So what you are saying is Bill Romanowski SAYING that it was his fault, and taking TOTAL responsibility for it means absolutlely nothing and that Williams obviously had it coming for fighting Bill?

Go back and read. That isn't what I said. They fought, he lost. Romo had to say that. I doubt if he meant it. Williams shouldn't have allowed Romo to take his helmet off if he was going to sue once he got his ass kicked.

 

And he could have stopped him. It isn't easy to take another players helemt off if he doesn't want you to.

So WIlliams WANTED to get punched in the face by a Romanowski who was still fully padded with his helmet on. He just LET Bill pull off his helmet, huh.

 

So Eddie George WANTED to get his helmet ripped off by Bill when he did it to him.

 

If you grab someone by the face mask and pull back, that puppy is coming off. It isn't difficult. What it does do is make the guy getting his helmet ripped off close his eyes, sort of a natural reaction there.

[Guest Just J]

Not if they have them snapped on like they are supposed to be. He probably had one strap on both sides like alot of players do now. If it's snapped all the way on it isn't coming off easy.

[Ripper 0]

Not if they have them snapped on like they are supposed to be. He probably had one strap on both sides like alot of players do now. If it's snapped all the way on it isn't coming off easy.

They were at practice! And what difference would it make if he did or didn't?

 

Eddie George did and Romo ripped it off in one motion.

[kkktookmybabyaway 0]

Maybe Williams wasn't that good and Romo was just acting in the team's best interests...

[Ripper 0]

Maybe Williams wasn't that good and Romo was just acting in the team's best interests...

If romo gets Kobe's lawyers, that will be the defense....

 

 

...

 

 

and the media will say they are winning.

[kkktookmybabyaway 0]

But will Williams have someone else's semen in his undies?

 

In a way I can understand Williams not wanting to sue Romo right away when he was still playing since it would be more of a distraction to all the players.

 

Now that Romo's done -- UNLEASH THE HOUNDS! (err, lawyers)

 

If I were Williams' lawyers, I'd go after the Raiders under the argument they allowed this kind of behavior to go unchecked. Hell, take on the league -- that's where the big $$$ is, not with a player...

[Ripper 0]

But will Williams have someone else's semen in his undies?

 

In a way I can understand Williams not wanting to sue Romo right away when he was still playing since it would be more of a distraction to all the players.

 

Now that Romo's done -- UNLEASH THE HOUNDS! (err, lawyers)

 

If I were Williams' lawyers, I'd go after the Raiders under the argument they allowed this kind of behavior to go unchecked. Hell, take on the league -- that's where the big $$$ is, not with a player...

I think he is going to go after all of them, in succession, if his career is over due to this.

[Guest FrigidSoul]

Romo should have been banned from football years ago...some of the shit he did at BC was even worse than this.

 

Mr. J needs to stop hanging from Romo's testis and realise that Romo is in the wrong

[Guest Just J]

I don't think Romo was right in his actions nor did I ever say he was. But I do think that Williams did do something. I doubt that Romo just decided to punch him for no reason at all. Do I think Williams expected the reaction from Romo he got? No. But I am sure he was expecting a reaction.

[Guest FrigidSoul]

I don't think Romo was right in his actions nor did I ever say he was. But I do think that Williams did do something. I doubt that Romo just decided to punch him for no reason at all. Do I think Williams expected the reaction from Romo he got? No. But I am sure he was expecting a reaction.

The thing he did wrong was fuck up the play on the Offensive end thus causing Romo to go into a fit. Also if my teamate is taking off my helmet I'm not expecting to get punched in the face...I might expect him to glare me in the eyes if he's a veteran like Romo and then possibly chew me out but not punch me in the face

[Guest Just J]

I highly doubt that he punched him merely for fucking up the play. I bet Williams fucked up, Romo scolded him; Williams said something smart about Romo's chastising and boom.

 

Either way there is no reason to bring the legal system into this.

[The Ghost of bps21 0]

I hope he takes everything he has.

 

This is a simple lesson in right and wrong...a lesson that Romo has never learned.

 

So...just keep taking his money away until he learns.

 

And hey, if he doesn't...he's never going to realize that taking his money is wrong anyway

[Guest MikeSC]

If Williams was too big of a pussy to take an ass whippin he should have kept his mouth shut. Romo shouldn't have to pay for anything.

Romo was a TEAMMATE. Why in the heck should he EXPECT a cheap shot from a teammate. I mean, yeah, Bill is known for cheap shots --- but he was a teammate.

 

Who's the bigger "pussy" : The guy who was beaten, or the vet who removed a rookie's helmet and sucker-punched him?

-=Mike