Jameis Winston's Loyalty For Jamaal Williams And Teammates Wins In The End

Saints teammates banded together and won in the end with a one-yard touchdown. It wasn't about the score; it was about loyalty and team.

The New Orleans Saints had a long offseason of preparation, draft interviews, and free agency period signings. Through all of the sweat and tears during rookie and mini camps, OTAs, and the sticky humidity of South Louisiana in training camp. 

The hundreds of hours of meetings, press conferences, locker room hi-jinx, partying, fights, loud music, and injuries. Today, the New Orleans Saints were eliminated from the big dance, the 2024 NFL Playoffs.

As a player, going through the battles with your teammates, it's all worth it. On Sunday afternoon at midfield in Caesars Superdome, Arthur Smith verbally accosted, called him a foul name, and used profanity directed at Dennis Allen, as millions of viewers witnessed.  

The camera's audio captured Allen responding to Smith on the field, saying, "I understand that."

Oh boy. #Falcons HC Arthur Smith just went OFF on #Saints HC Dennis Allen for scoring a late garbage-time touchdown.

"That's f****** bulls***!"https://t.co/mPcekQYhvE

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) January 7, 2024

Allen decided not to condemn a fellow coach's hostile behavior and derogatory words. Instead, he chose to call out his players, namely, Jameis Winston, and side with the same person who demonstrated the highest level of disrespect towards him and his players.

"That's not who we are. That's not how we operate." Allen said. "I want to apologize to them."  

Jameis Winston fell on the sword by standing up and taking the blame. "I apologize to DA [Dennis Allen]," Winston told the media in the locker room. "But I also explained to DA that it was a team decision." He continued, "I asked the guys, 'What do you want to do?'" DA didn't condone that...However, we decided as a team to do it."  

Here’s Jameis Winston on the last touchdown.

Said he apologized to HC Dennis Allen, but also explained it was a team decision to let Jamaal Williams score his first TD of the season. @FOX8NOLA pic.twitter.com/MU323pSpdG

— Madeline Adams (@MadelineAdamsTV) January 8, 2024

All the angst between Smith and Allen centered around running back Jamaal Williams getting his first touchdown in the season's final game. 

Williams led the National Football League in 2022 with 17 touchdowns. However, he was scoreless this season with the Saints. That was before Jameis Winston and his teammate went into 'Victory Formation' at the one-yard line, handed off the football, and Williams scored with a one-yard plunge.  Williams was more than gracious towards his teammates.

“I couldn’t go home without getting him one. Whatever heat that comes with that, put that on the O-line,” Cesar Ruiz to Rod Walker.

“I appreciate my teammates for just having my back, for wanting to get me a touchdown, for wanting to just show the love to me.”

Jamaal Williams on his first TD of the season today. @FOX8NOLA pic.twitter.com/ox6KsmboPz

— Madeline Adams (@MadelineAdamsTV) January 8, 2024

  

From the days of my youth in New Orleans until leading a team of sports writers today, the "TEAM" has been more important than our adversaries. They are the ones to support and will fight for and with you on the battlefield.  

As the Three Musketeers would say, "It's one for all, and all for one." By apologizing to a division rival, Dennis Allen forgot that one principle of life and football with his postgame sentiments.  Instead of being aware that this one play had significance for his team, and would be remembered for years to come by his players and fans, especially Jamaal Williams. Loyalty is appreciated.

Jan 7, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Atlanta Falcons linebacker Nate Landman (53) tackles New Orleans Saints running back Jamaal Williams (21) during the second half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Jameis understood. The offensive lineman and team agreed. In the end, the New Orleans Saints won.