Reconsidering Willie Williams

     There is a column by me online tonight and in Wednesday's paper on Willie Williams, the former University of Miami star football recruit who was notorious for having had 11 juvenile arrests and then for bolting from UM after his redshirt-freshman season, for parts unknown. That was just over two years ago.

     Well, the once-bright prospect out of Carol City High is on his fifth school since leaving Miami and today is (pictured at left) a senior playing for tiny Union College in Barboursville, Ky. His is an unlikely story and, I hope, an interesting column you'd find by clicking on Willie's Odyssey.

     Do you remember him? Do you care to? In the column I did not glorify the path Williams chose for himself, but, at the same time, I think a troubled young man, now 23, deserves credit for perseverence if nothing else. The guy has had plenty of chances to quit, on football, on himself, on his future. He has not. And good for him.

     With hesitation, knowing how the blogosphere lends itself to anonymous screeds, I would invite readers to reassess Williams if they would like. Does ill will continue? Or do you wish him well?

Comments

[r. duke]

I think Dolphins should take Wiilie and have him return punts and kickoffs.

[r. duke]

dean this is ancient history but I finally did get to see "No Country for Old Men." My, my what a scarey, scarey fellow. Really I thought he was Grim Reaper incarnate until he endured quite stoically that nasty compound fracture of his arm. I mean tough guy or no tough guy that had to sting.

[Spastic Colon]

Willie or Wonthee? Willie Wonka or Willie Nelson?
Willie went to school with Cecil Collins ?
Willie get his GED already?
Willie be working on the space shuttle anytime soon?
Willie be? Be what?

[Spastic Colon]

Duke, question.

If Bostonian or Kurt played football, what position would they play?

scat back!

[Spastic Colon]

they could squirt thru the hole

[going long]

He would start off as a tight end but end up a wide receiver.

[going long]

then again, he would also enjoy center hoping his man brady double pumps.

[the bostonian]

did I mention that the Dolphins have lost 20 of their last 21 games?
have I stated that the Dolphins are 0 -2?
did I forget to point out that they are in last place (again)?
did you notice that they are 2 games out and the season is only two games old?
damn.

[Spastic Colon]

only 2 out, wow, that's not bad. Now, get back in the closet and quit wearing your Moms dresses. No matter how you try wearing the old polyester pant suits, you don't look like Hillary Clinton. You keep squirting on here like a bad case of the runs.

[Max]

I am glad for Willie. Glad he didnt turn out like Maurice Claret who will never be out of prison. Willie has talent and is going to succeed. Its just that being a Hurricane is well not what he was capable of being. End of story

[the bostonian]

I did mention that the Dolphins have lost 20 of their last 21 games!
I have stated that the Dolphins are 0 -2!
did I forget to point out that they are in last place (again)!
You did notice that they are 2 games out and the season is only two games old!
damn.

[Tommy]

I wouldn't mind seeing the Dolphins take a 7th round gamble on him. I hope he can get his act together. Based on the marijuana thing, it looks like he has.

[aman]

this kid is focused now i saw him play last week he is ready, he looks real good and is very focused i could see it n his eyes. im behind you willie do it willie doit.

[Edfutbol]

Yeah - the dolphins can draft him. Then he and Ricky can start a ministry at the dolphins facility - Zion Coptic.....

[naplesjackpatsfan]

Even Al Davis, would not touch this kid.

[naplesjackpatsfan]

Come to think about it, neither would the bengals, or Jacksonville.

[Spastic Colon]

Willie be who Willie be, nobody half talented athlete with a rock for a brain. Stand in line behind 500 guys just like you for an NFL try out.

[VIC]

I just wish he had not made this road so hard on himself but Once a Cane! Always a Cane!

I'll be rooting for Willie to make it and pray that he continues to persevere until he reaches his final destination in the The NFL because he belongs there.

Years from now when he has to tell his story to some young troubled kid going thru what he has gone thru and he will tell him this "I should have trusted the people guiding me, been more patient and waited for my turn at the U because if I had done that my road to the League would have been much smoother."

[Mr. Woodcock]

Willie Williams? Who gives a crap about that guy. He'll be stamping license plates at Raffort in a year.

[the shadow knows]

Mr. Woodcock,

i believe you may be right; i do hope that this guy does something with his life besides standing sideways for mugshots.

[rogperu]

hey bostonian

18-1

man that must sting !

1st place losers

[Spastic Colon]

Willie Be making license plates? funny.
Willie be an investment banker? funnier.
Willie be a science major? funniest.

Willie be a convict? most likey.

[r. duke]

Yes It's Official!! "SCAT" is the official word of this the 2008-2009 NFL season. Thankyou Dave in VA and Jimbo for utilizing its meaning in so many knowledgeable imaginative ways. Einstein would be impressed indeed with the wonderous use of both the right and left hemispheres in this "SCAT" defining and its ongoing exploration. Congratulations gentlemen and to George Takei whatever it is you really are away from the popular 1960's sci-fi sitcome "Star Trek."

[Slamming Asshole]

Kurt & Bostonian
How does it feel, 18-1 and all your team is remembered for is Spygate and the biggest choke in sporting history.

[Benjamin]

It's a trifle premature to be writing stories about the "redemption" of Willie Williams given his proclivity for stepping in organic material. Certainly, he's entitled to try and remake himself, but in this case, I'm from Missouri: "Show me!"

[naplesjackpatsfan]

See where Michelle Obama was just voted to the best dressed list. To bad those liberals in hollywood, could not do something to hide that big old FAT ASS!!!

[WadeDiesel]

Willie Williams was one of the best high school players I have ever seen or played against. When we played him my junior year in high school we didnt run one play to his side b/c of how dominant he was, and our senior year he played linebacker and prob. had over 25 tackles and absolutely dominated the entire game. Every tackle was basically for a loss. And our team was 8-0 at the time and getting ready for the playoffs. Outside of Sean Taylor he was the best high school player I played against. Jon Beason and Jerry Seymour are 3 and 4.

[Franco Harris]

My Nfl comeback is doing nicely thank you. I have progressed from the AB Lounge, Total Gym endorsed by Chuck Norris and the occasional burn of the "Buns of Steel" tape to doing the Incline in Manitou Springs. It is the hardest mile you will ever go up, come down the Barr Trail. Check it out on the internet. Manitou Springs is in Colorado, the weather is nice but the altitude will bite you in the you know what.
I'm Franco Harris for crying out loud!! Jeeze!

[Franco Harris]

Willie Williams would never be able to tackle me, I'd juke and go outta bounds after 3 yds. Who you jiving?
I still got it.

[r. duke]

Yo Franco glad your back bud. How would like to have a word with the strength HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, CHOKE, CHOKE, HACK, COUGH, HA, HA, AH, Ahh of our team, the runningbacks?

[Franco Harris]

R. Duke. Glad you asked. Give them the work, pass to them on first down in the flats and screens. Run on 2nd and 3rd down. Terry never threw to me, don't know why.
Terry liked the "scat" receiver we had, Mr Lynn Swann. I had to school Lynny on how to dress snazzy and classy too. Jeeze!!

[marlon]

Willie is a diffenent sleeper!

[Jimbo]

marlon, willie is a sleeper? did he sleep his way thru college coarses too? Must have missed all ethics classes also. Willie is a certified loser, future inmate.

[No One]

I love how Jimbo above me spelled "coarses". Classic.