Gleason questions Saints' reaction to Williams' speech

Steve Gleason didn't authorize documentary filmmaker Sean Pamphilon to release the audio of Gregg Williams' speech to the New Orleans Saints on the eve of last season's NFC divisional playoffs. But the former Saints special teams ace can't defend what Williams said that day.

In an interview with HBO's "Real Sports" set to air on Tuesday night, Gleason explained his reaction as he witnessed the defensive coordinator's infamous speech in January. Gleason was a guest of the team. Pamphilon was trailing him as part of a project unrelated to the Saints' "bounty" scandal.

"When he specified the other players' injuries, that to me, was over the line," Gleason said of Williams, via USA Today.

Gleason said he had no knowledge of a "bounty" program during his time with the Saints. He was surprised Saints players didn't appear fazed by Williams' violent message, which included references to going for the knees of one player and the head of another.

"The real problem was no one seemed shocked," Gleason said. "There was no discussion of, 'Wow, did we just hear that?' "

Gleason, 35, was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) -- Lou Gehrig's Disease -- two years ago. Recent studies at Boston University suggest head trauma suffered during Gleason's career played a role.

Follow Dan Hanzus on Twitter @danhanzus.