National Football League

Director defends release of 'bounty' audio

Published Apr. 7, 2012 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

A documentary film director says he had the right to release a recording of then-Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams exhorting his players to physically punish targeted San Francisco players in a playoff game.

In a statement posted on his promotional website, Sean Pamphilon says he and former Saints special teams standout Steve Gleason have a production agreement that he has followed.

Gleason, who has ALS, had been allowing Pamphilon to document his struggle against the incurable disease. The Saints, who've supported Gleason's efforts to raise awareness about ALS, gave Pamphilon special access.

Gleason says the Williams recording should not have been released without his permission, which he never gave.

Pamphilon says he cannot understand why Gleason would want to prevent him from sharing the truth about Williams with the public.