Gregg Williams’ indefinite suspension from the NFL just started, but he’s already talking to the league about getting reinstated.
Jason La Canfora of NFL.com reports that Williams has started the discussion about what steps he will need to take while suspended in order to be in a position to bring the suspension to an end. There’s no word on what those steps might be or what kind of time frame there would be before any decision would be made, but La Canfora reports that Williams has been willing to comply in any way possible thus far.
While it has been widely speculated that Williams’ suspension would turn into a de facto lifetime ban, there’s precedent for the process in the Michael Vick case. Vick was suspended indefinitely in 2007 after pleading guilty to federal charges related to his involvement in dogfighting. He was reinstated in time to join the Eagles for the 2009 season after a series of meetings with Roger Goodell and following steps prescribed by the league.
Williams’ case is different from Vick’s, obviously, but it would appear that there will be a way for Williams to get back into the game. He isn’t eligible for reinstatement until after the Super Bowl in 2013 so there’s plenty of time for the process to play out before any kind of decision needs to come from the league about Williams’ future as a coach.