Jamal Williams

Last updated

Jamal Williams
Jamal Williams.jpg
Williams with the Chargers in 2008
No. 76
Position: Nose tackle
Personal information
Born: (1976-04-28) April 28, 1976 (age 48)
Washington, D.C., U.S.
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:348 lb (158 kg)
Career information
High school: Archbishop Carroll
(Washington, D.C.)
College: Oklahoma State
Supplemental draft:1998 / Round: 2
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Tackles:394
Solo tackles:312
Sacks:13
Forced fumbles:4
Interceptions:1
Pass deflections:21
Player stats at PFR

Jamal Williams (born April 28, 1976) is an American former professional football player who was a nose tackle in the National Football League (NFL) for thirteen seasons. He was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the second round of the 1998 Supplemental Draft. He played college football for Oklahoma State Cowboys. After three consecutive All-Pro seasons (2004, 2005, 2006) in the NFL, Williams—at a massive 6′3″, 350 pounds—was described as a "textbook block-of-granite noseman" by Sports Illustrated ′s Peter King in 2007. [1]

Contents

Early years

Williams is the second oldest of seven boys, was raised in Washington, D.C. by his mother, Harriet, a single parent. A two-time All-Met selection at Archbishop Carroll High School in Washington, Williams played linebacker at 6′3″, 255 pounds. He was named a Super Prep All-American in 1994.

Williams attended Oklahoma State University, where he played for the Cowboys in 1995. In 1996, he transferred to Kemper Military School and Junior College in Boonville, Missouri, where he was a standout in the junior college ranks. In 1997, Williams returned to Oklahoma State and was a first-team All-Big 12 Conference selection. He finished his career with 117 tackles and 9.5 sacks. He majored in sociology at OSU.

Professional career

San Diego Chargers

Williams was selected in the second round of the 1998 NFL Supplemental Draft by the San Diego Chargers. [2] The highlight of his rookie season occurred on December 13, when he scored a touchdown on a 14-yard interception return against the Seattle Seahawks. He finished the season with 6 tackles (5 solo), 1 pass deflection, and 1 interception in 9 games. In 1999, he recorded 26 tackles (22 solo), 1 sack, and 2 pass deflections in 16 games (2 starts). In 2000, Williams finished with 52 tackles (45 solo), 1 sack, and 1 forced fumble in 16 starts. He suffered a season-ending injury in the 3rd game of the 2001 season and finished with just 2 solo tackles. However, he worked his way back into the starting line-up in 2002, earning the Ed Block Courage Award for his efforts. Williams recorded 23 tackles (19 solo), 2.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and 2 pass deflections in 12 games during the 2002 season. During the 2003 season, Williams posted totals of 33 tackles (24 solo), 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, and 1 pass deflection in 15 games.

The Chargers switched to a 3-4 defensive scheme in 2004 and fielded Williams at nose tackle, arguably the most important position in the 3-4 defense. Williams recorded 32 tackles (25 solo), 4 sacks, and 4 pass deflections in 15 games. He became widely recognized as one of the top 3-4 nose tackles in the NFL and was named an AP 2nd Team All-Pro, and was also selected as the Chargers' Defensive Player of the Year as well as Lineman of the Year. In the 2005 season, Williams recorded 53 tackles (40 solo) and 4 pass deflections in 16 games and was named a Pro Bowl starter and was named 1st Team All-Pro by the Associated Press and The Sporting News, He Again Was Selected Chargers Defensive Player of the year And Lineman of the year for the Second Time in his Career. He finished the 2006 season with 69 tackles (49 solo), 2 sacks, and 2 pass deflections in 16 games and was again named a Pro Bowl starter, as well as 1st Team All-Pro by the AP, The Sporting News, and the Football Writers Association of America, And Was selected Chargers Lineman of the Year for the Third time in his Career. During the 2007 season, Williams recorded 39 tackles (32 solo), 1 forced fumble, and 2 pass deflections in 13 games and was named a Pro Bowl reserve following the season. Williams finished 2008 with 56 tackles (46 solo), 1.5 sacks, and 3 pass deflections in 16 games, Williams Was Selected Chargers Defensive Player of the Year (For The Third Time In his Career), Lineman of the Year (For The fourth Time In His Career) And Co-Most Valuable Player With Philip Rivers. In 2009, Williams suffered a season-ending triceps injury in the first game and finished with just 3 solo tackles. He was named to the Chargers 50th Anniversary Team that year. [3] On March 4, 2010, Williams was released by the Chargers. [4]

Williams was inducted into the Chargers Hall of Fame in 2022. [5]

Denver Broncos

At a game in Denver in September 2010. Jamal Williams (Broncos).JPG
At a game in Denver in September 2010.

On March 9, 2010, Williams signed a 3-year, $16-million contract with the Broncos with $7-million guaranteed and an additional $6-million available through incentives. [6]

On March 3, 2011, the Broncos released Williams. [7]

Personal life

In 1999, Williams married to singer-songwriter Surel Williams (née Sureldie Rycha Davis) of Lancaster, Texas. [8] The couple has 2 daughters: Joy and Jasmine Williams. The couple raise their children between Plano, Texas and San Diego, California.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brian Dawkins</span> American football player (born 1973)

Brian Patrick Dawkins Sr., nicknamed "Weapon X", is an American former professional football player who was a safety for 16 seasons in the National Football League (NFL), primarily with the Philadelphia Eagles. He played college football for the Clemson Tigers and was selected by the Eagles in the second round of the 1996 NFL draft. In his last three seasons, he played for the Denver Broncos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Derrick Johnson</span> American football player (born 1982)

Derrick O'Hara Johnson is a former American football linebacker. He played college football at the University of Texas at Austin, where he earned consensus All-American honors twice. He was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs with the 15th overall selection in first round the 2005 NFL draft. In his 13 seasons with the Chiefs, he made four Pro Bowls. He also played 6 games for the Oakland Raiders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">D. J. Williams (linebacker)</span> American football player (born 1982)

Genos Derwin "D. J." Williams, Jr. is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker for 11 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at the University of Miami and was selected by the Denver Broncos in the first round of the 2004 NFL draft in the National Football League (NFL). He also played two seasons for the Chicago Bears.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vonnie Holliday</span> American football player (born 1975)

Dimetry Giovonni "Vonnie" Holliday is a former American football defensive end. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers 19th overall in the 1998 NFL Draft. He played college football at North Carolina.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shaun Phillips</span> American football player (born 1981)

Shaun Jamal Phillips is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Purdue Boilermakers and was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL Draft. Phillips also played for the Denver Broncos, Tennessee Titans, and Indianapolis Colts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lawrence Timmons</span> American football player (born 1986)

Lawrence Olajuwon Timmons is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the 2007 NFL draft. He won Super Bowl XLIII with the Steelers the following year, and played in Super Bowl XLV two years later. He played college football for the Florida State Seminoles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eric Weddle</span> American football player (born 1985)

Eric Steven Weddle is an American former football safety who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 14 seasons. He played college football for the Utah Utes, where he earned consensus All-American honors in 2006, and was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the second round of the 2007 NFL draft. During his nine seasons with the Chargers, Weddle received three Pro Bowl and two first-team All-Pro selections. Weddle spent his next three seasons as a member of the Baltimore Ravens, earning Pro Bowl honors in each and extending his total selections to six. He retired after playing for the Los Angeles Rams in 2019, but returned two years later to join the Rams on their playoff run, which culminated with a victory in Super Bowl LVI. Following the championship, he retired a second time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wesley Woodyard</span> American football player (born 1986)

Wesley Woodyard Jr. is a former American football linebacker. He played college football for the University of Kentucky and was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Denver Broncos in 2008. Woodyard also played for the Tennessee Titans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jurrell Casey</span> American football player (born 1989)

Jurrell Juel Casey is an American former professional football defensive end in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the USC Trojans, and was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the third round of the 2011 NFL draft.

Marcus Tyler Gilchrist is a former American football safety. He played college football at Clemson. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft and also had stints with the New York Jets, Houston Texans, Oakland Raiders, Detroit Lions, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Baltimore Ravens.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Danny Trevathan</span> American football player (born 1990)

Danny Eugene Trevathan is a former American football linebacker. He was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the sixth round of the 2012 NFL Draft. He played college football at Kentucky, where in 2010, he was named an All-American by College Football News and was a first-team all-SEC selection.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Casey Hayward</span> American football player (born 1989)

Casey Hayward Jr. is an American football cornerback who is a free agent. He played college football at Vanderbilt. Hayward was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the second round of the 2012 NFL draft and has played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Packers, San Diego / Los Angeles Chargers, Las Vegas Raiders, and Atlanta Falcons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bradley Roby</span> American football player (born 1992)

Bradley Roby is an American football cornerback who is a free agent. He was selected by the Denver Broncos in the first round of the 2014 NFL draft. He played college football at Ohio State. He has also played for the Houston Texans and the New Orleans Saints.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">D. J. Hayden</span> American football player (1990–2023)

Derek Sherrard "D. J." Hayden Jr. was an American professional football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Houston Cougars and was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the first round of the 2013 NFL draft. Hayden also played in the NFL for the Detroit Lions, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Washington Football Team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Khalil Mack</span> American football player (born 1991)

Khalil Delshon Mack is an American football linebacker for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Buffalo and was selected by the Oakland Raiders with the fifth overall pick in the 2014 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jahleel Addae</span> American football player (born 1990)

Jahleel Addae is a former American football safety. He played college football for Central Michigan University where he was a captain and three-time All Mid-American Conference player. He was signed by the Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tre Boston</span> American football player (born 1992)

Jayestin Tre'Von Boston Sr. is a former American football safety and current TV host. He played college football at North Carolina, and was selected by the Carolina Panthers in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL draft. He also played for the Los Angeles Chargers and Arizona Cardinals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shaquil Barrett</span> American football player (born 1992)

Shaquil Akeem Barrett is an American football linebacker for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Nebraska–Omaha Mavericks before transferring to the Colorado State Rams. He was signed by the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent after the 2014 NFL draft. After five seasons with the Broncos, including winning Super Bowl 50, Barrett signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His level of play increased, making the Pro Bowl and All-Pro teams in 2019 after leading the league in sacks, and in 2021 won Super Bowl LV.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Justin Simmons (American football)</span> American football player (born 1993)

Justin Simmons is an American football safety who is a free agent. He played college football at Boston College and was selected by the Denver Broncos in the third round of the 2016 NFL draft.

Jatavis Brown is a former American football linebacker. He attended Glades Central High School in Belle Glade, Florida and played college football at Akron. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the fifth round of the 2016 NFL draft.

References

  1. King, Peter (August 28, 2007). "The King 500: Ranking the best players in the NFL from No. 1 to 500". SI.com.
  2. "1998 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2023-03-29.
  3. "Chargers 50th anniversary team". The Press-Enterprise. Archived from the original on December 18, 2009.
  4. ESPN: Busy day in San Diego: Williams released
  5. Smith, Eric (September 28, 2022). "Jamal Williams Made Undeniable Impact on Path to Chargers Hall of Fame". Chargers.com. Retrieved September 29, 2022.
  6. ESPN: Ex-Charger Jamal Williams now a Bronco
  7. "Bannan, Williams released". denverbroncos.com. Archived from the original on 2011-03-07. Retrieved 2011-03-31.
  8. "Mama Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Play Football". San Diego Reader. January 23, 2003.