Fan didn't intend to cause commotion

METAIRIE, La. -- New Orleans Saints fan Tony Williams unwittingly turned into one of sports' biggest villains Sunday when he intercepted a souvenir ball away from Cincinnati Bengals fan Christa Barrett, a moment that quickly went viral after being caught on CBS' broadcast.

Williams, 70, was clearly surprised by the backlash that followed. A season-ticket holder since 1968, Williams has explained to several media outlets that he saw it as a ball that was up for grabs -- just like maybe 100 others that he has seen in similar situations over the years. And he wanted to keep the ball for his 8-year-old grandson, who also was in attendance, which is why he wouldn't give Barrett the ball when she pleaded for it afterward.

Williams, who once served as king of the popular Zulu parade during Mardi Gras, also said "the Mardi Gras instinct kicked in."

"I really wasn't intending to hurt anyone, do anyone harm. My motive was to keep the football for my grandbaby," said Williams, who said his eyes were fixed on the ball and that he caught just a glimpse of Barrett out of the corner of his eye, not realizing she was the intended target.

Williams and his family have felt more like victims since, with Williams telling WWL-TV that he didn't sleep after he and his family became aware of the criticism and that his grandson was crying out of fear that he would be hurt.

Responding to one specific criticism he had heard, Williams insisted, "Believe me, with me, chivalry is not dead. I love my wife. I love my daughter. That hurts me a lot."

Williams said he gladly would have given up the ball if it was intended for a child.

"I didn't want to upset no one, because I love the city and I love the Saints," he said.

For her part, Barrett told WWL-TV that she doesn't feel like Williams was showing any disrespect toward her personally and that she's "now very glad he actually got the ball" after hearing why he wanted the souvenir just as much as she did.

"I wouldn't say disrespectful, just super-excited at the time, as excited as I was," Barrett said.

Barrett was presented with a ball from the Saints organization later and said she was happy with the club's gesture.

On Monday, the Bengals tweeted a photo of Jermaine Gresham signing a football that will go to Barrett. A Cincinnati T-shirt company also reached out, saying it would give her a shirt of her choice at no cost.