Ex-Sixer Jayson Williams was ‘being a coward’ in limo driver shooting coverup

Former Sixer Jayson Williams was "being a coward" in an attempt to cover up his accidental killing of a limousine driver in 2002, the Ex-All Star recently told 60 Minutes Sports.

Williams spoke with Sports Illustrated reporter Jon Wertheim for the program, which addresses the tragic incident that left driver Gus Christofi dead more than a decade ago. Williams went to jail in connection with the incident in 2010, and is currently pursuing sobriety at a Florida rehabilitation center.

"[There is] nothing I can do or say to bring Mr. Christofi back," Williams tells 60 Minutes Sports in the upcoming episode. "If there was I would do it. The cover-up was selfishness…me trying to protect myself."

Back in 2002, Christofi was hired to drive Williams and his crew around for an evening, which led to the driver being invited into the basketball star's New Jersey home for a tour. That tour included a look at a shotgun Williams owned, which went off and killed Christofi while Williams was holding it.

Williams, in response, wiped the gun down, jumped into his pool, and asked a friend to dispose of his clothing in an attempt to cover up the shooting. He later pleaded guilty to aggravated assault, and was convicted of four counts of covering up the shooting. He was also charged with aggravated manslaughter, but was acquitted of that charge.

The ex-Sixer served a 26-month prison term in connection with Christofi's death, and was released in April 2012. He tells 60 Minutes Sports that the incident led to him drinking "a fifth of moonshine" a day throughout the trial, with that behavior continuing after his release.

That behavior caught up with Williams this year, with the former pro having crashed his car in February, leading to an was arrest for DUI. Following that incident, Williams entered Epiphany Treatment Center, a Florida rehabilitation center where he spent 30 days before deciding that he wouldn't be leaving.

"I've quit trying to protect myself," he tells the program. "I just try to live right and let the pieces fall where they may. That's my only job, to be sober."

Williams episode of 60 Minutes Sports will air on Showtime Tuesday, Dec. 6 at 8 p.m. It will serve as the former Sixers' first extended interview since his release from prison in 2012.

Williams joined the 76ers in 1990, serving as a power forward. He departed the team in 1992, when he was traded to the New Jersey Nets.