SAN FRANCISCO -- The NFL said Tuesday the Super Bowl-bound New York Giants didn't make any illegal hits on 49ers punt returner Kyle Williams during the NFC Championship Game.
Williams fumbled a punt during overtime of San Francisco's 20-17 loss Sunday, and the misplay set up Lawrence Tynes' winning field goal. Afterward, New York's Jacquian Williams and Devin Thomasindicated they were trying to hit Williams given his history of concussions, including the most recent one sustained during a Dec. 24 game at Seattle.
League spokesman Greg Aiello said in an email that the Giants did nothing against the rules.
"Players are held accountable for their actions on the field," Aiello said. "There were no illegal hits to the head or neck area against Kyle Williams on Sunday. There was no conduct by the Giants of any kind that would suggest an effort to injure Kyle Williams in any way."
Williams' agent, Ken Sarnoff, said the second-year pro is aware of the Giants' postgame comments but is done speaking publicly and is ready to move forward toward the 2012 season.
The 49ers had no comment.
Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press
