Kansas City Chiefs safety Bryan Cook took responsibility after Sunday’s game for his part in an altercation with San Francisco offensive lineman Trent Williams that ultimately led to Williams’ ejection.
With three minutes left in the Chiefs’ 28-18 road win at Levi’s Stadium, Cook and Williams scuffled with each other after a 49ers pass play; Cook slapped Williams on the side of his helmet before the O-lineman retaliated by punching Cook across the left side of his head.
“The emotions were all high and everything like that. I reacted. I shouldn’t have reacted that way,” Cook said in front of his locker after the game. “I need to be a better man in the situation. And that’s all there is to it.”
Officials announced off-setting penalties on the play, calling a facemask on Chiefs cornerback Chris Roland-Wallace and a personal foul on Williams. Because he threw a punch, Williams also was ejected.
According to NFLPenalties.com, Williams’ disqualification was the first for any NFL team in the 2024 season.
Though FOX TV replays showed the final blows between Cook and Williams, Cook said he was reacting to an earlier action. Cook, who referenced a facemask by Williams, said he “didn’t think the play was as clean, talking about sportsmanship,” and later explained it was something he “didn’t think was a regular football play.”
“But I didn’t retaliate in the best way either,” Cook said. “So I can fault myself. Who am I to judge, you know what I’m saying? So I take full accountability of my actions. I’ll do better moving forward.”
Replays showed other Chiefs teammates having to be separated from Williams as well after the dust-up. That included linebacker and team leader Nick Bolton.
“At the end of the day, it’s football. It’s a competitive sport,” Cook said. “Things happen, and here we are.”
Cook, who delivered the first slap to Williams, said he was not expecting the punch he received a few seconds later.
“My head was turned,” Cook said. “But same thing: He retaliated. Like a grown man, he made his decision. Things are gonna happen. But at the end of the day, I’m only accountable for myself. I can’t do anything for anybody else. But me moving forward, I have to do better.”
Williams’ late frustration seemed to boil over partly because of the circumstances. The Chiefs defeated the 49ers for the fifth straight time Sunday, which includes wins in Super Bowls LIV and LVIII.
Meanwhile, KC’s defense consistently held down one of the NFL’s best offenses, as the 49ers had three interceptions and converted on just 2 of 11 third downs.
Cook was part of that standout day for the Chiefs’ defense, which also held up in some tough circumstances early.
KC’s defense came away with an interception after the Chiefs failed on a fourth-and-2 fake-punt attempt in their own territory, then also forced a three-and-out following a Patrick Mahomes interception on the next drive.
“Those are two situations where we had to basically (man) up and just step up as a defense,” Cook said. “And I think during those moments, it honestly builds us together.”
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