Oh, Baby: Oiler Is Still Out $125,000 : Pro football: Team says Williams was docked a week’s pay, not fined.

The Houston Oilers made it official Tuesday night: It will cost tackle David Williams $125,000 for staying with his wife after the birth of their first child.

The team said Williams had enough time after the birth Saturday to catch a flight to Boston for Sunday’s game with the New England Patriots.

“Because he did not play in the game, he will not receive his game check,” the team said in an unsigned statement. “This however, should not be construed or reported as a fine.”

“Whatever the fine, it’s money well spent,” Williams said Monday when he rejoined the team. “I don’t regret what I’ve done. I wanted to be there for my child to be born and I was going to stay there until he was.”

Leigh Steinberg, Williams’ agent, had said he would file a grievance and sue the team.

Williams, who makes $2 million a season, had permission to miss team meetings and practices on Saturday and to miss the team charter flight to Boston for Sunday’s game, the statement said.

Scot Cooper Williams was born at 6:25 p.m. CDT Saturday.

“David was with his wife Debi, to experience the joy of seeing Scot born,” the Oilers’ statement said. “Once the birth had occurred and doctors had assured David that Debi and Scot were doing well, there were approximately 17 hours until the kickoff of Sunday’s Oilers-Patriots game.

“At this time, the Oilers did expect David to join his teammates and coaches for the game. There were several connecting flights on Saturday night (after 9 p.m.) that would have gotten David to Boston in plenty of time for Sunday’s game. In addition, chartering an aircraft was a possibility.”

The Oilers said the club was sensitive to the Williams’ situation. Debi Williams had a miscarriage in August, 1992.

“This needs to be emphasized,” the statement said. “The Oilers were not asking David to choose between witnessing the birth of his first born vs. playing in a football game.”