The former guard says he'd finished his job for the day, so he thought it was OK, but the company that fired him says they're still standing by its policy.
Joel Williams says he's worked as a security guard for Contemporary Services Corporation for the past year and a half. The TSU grad student says it wasn't so much the $7.25 an hour but he enjoyed the job, being a part of Texans games.
"I just escort people to their seats and make sure everybody is in the right seat," Williams said.
After Sunday's game, he says he had finished his ushering duties when he saw Brady in the hallway.
"I said, hey Tom Brady good game, it was excellent. You're my favorite quarterback and all that good stuff. And he said, why thank you," Williams said.
That's when Williams and his co-worker both asked for pictures and Brady agreed. Shortly after, the call came from the boss.
"She says you are terminated, you guys are gone," Williams said.
A spokesperson for Contemporary Services Corporation issued the following statement regarding the incident:
"It is strictly against CSC policy for its employees to request photos or autographs from players. CSC stands by its decision to terminate the two employees who violated this policy."
Williams will graduate with a master's in public administration in December. He says it's not the job he's concerned about.
"What happened was I was already relieved of my duty and that's when I chose to take the picture," Williams said.
But he wanted to tell his story.
"I think it was three things: I think first of all, they were upset the Texans lost. I think second of all, because they lost in the fourth quarter. And then third of all, because it was Tom Brady," Williams said.
Williams claims he's had a solid record with the company and had never been reprimanded until Sunday.
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