This is a special guest feature from Anna Kip Watson.
Days ticked by…months…then more than a year passed with no phone call. Maybe time in the NFL was over? After all, three years equates to a career. Questioning and doubt would seem normal under the circumstances.
But, determined to play again, Shaud Williams, the former Buffalo Bills running back and Alabama standout, remained confident he would get a second chance, “My faith is what kept me going. I knew my time would come and someone would give me the opportunity to display my skills and live out my dream of playing football.”
Williams, who was inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame in May, makes football history Friday playing for the Florida Tuskers in the first United Football League (UFL) Championship game. The four teams which make up the UFL contain many former NFL players like Williams who desire to get back into the league. The UFL set up in cities currently underserved by the NFL. Orlando hosts the Tusker’s team and 77% of its current roster has NFL experience including: Michael Pittman, Brooks Bollinger, Tatum Bell, Odell Thurman, Jermaine Wiggins, and Williams.
Former NFL Coach of the Year and Tuskers Head Coach Jim Haslett believes Williams belongs in the NFL, “I can’t figure out why this guy is in Buffalo and then he is out of football. I don’t get it sometimes. I think he is the kind of guy you like to have on your football team. He’s one of those guys who loves the game and likes being around the guys and does whatever you want. You want him to block all day, he’ll block. You want him to run, he’ll run. He’s good at everything.”
Williams fell in love with football growing up in Andrews, TX. Playing pee wee ball for the Eagles, Shaud recalls the first time he suited up, “I remember the first day putting on my pads and helmet. I fell in love with the game of football then and I’ve been in love with it ever since. I would get this rush every time I would get the ball and take off running,” he shared. “This rush would come over me I just couldn’t explain it.”
That rush led him to set records in high school where he still holds the second highest total career yards for Class 4A with 7,710 and 87 touchdowns. Williams played for Texas Tech before transferring to the University of Alabama where he was a semi-finalist for the Doak Walker Award and led the SEC in 2003 in rushing with 1,367 yards and 14 touchdowns, averaging 132.6 all purpose yards per game.
In 2004, Williams signed as a free agent with the Buffalo Bills. He played four seasons and then when coaching changes occurred, he found himself without a job.
Not willing to give up, Williams continued preparing for his next opportunity. He turned to Zoom Sports Performance, an Athletic Republic facility where fellow Crimson Tide players Juwan Simpson and Charlie Peprah trained. Working at Zoom enabled Williams to stay in playing condition as he trained along side other NFL and CFL players.
More than anything else, however, the process of training and finding his next football home proved to Williams he had what it takes to make it, “I am an extremely patient person; even more patient than I thought I could ever be. I have a drive and desire that can not and will not be shaken. And, I learned I have some amazing people who care about me and want to see me do well. Last, but certainly not least, I learned God rewards those who are obedient and steadfast.”
The UFL came along at the perfect time for Williams. He signed with the Tuskers in early September, performed well in training camp, and was elected Team Captain in October. “The experience has been absolutely amazing. I’m surprised how quickly we’ve formed chemistry as a team. Football is fun again. Everyone is taking turns making plays and the coaches put us in positions to be successful as players,” says Williams.
The undefeated Tuskers (6-0) have dominated the UFL during this premiere season. Williams along with Bell and Pittman, a Super Bowl Champion, give the Tuskers great depth on the ground. All three sit in the top 8 of UFL leading rushers. Williams has 103 yards off 21 carries with an average of 4.9 yards. His longest gain of 29 yards came on a wildcat play on a 4th down situation giving the Tuskers another set of downs.
Florida takes on the Las Vegas Locomotives (4-2) in Sam Boyd Stadium with the winner claiming the first official UFL title. The game can be seen on the Versus network. Kickoff is 4:00pm ET/3:00pmCT/NoonPCT.
Williams believes this team is unique and Haslett knows how to pull the best out of them in order to win the title, “We’ve formed a team chemistry that is very rare considering the short amount of time we’ve been together. And, I love Coach Haslett and I love playing for him. He’s the type of coach every player would want to play for. He’s honest and wants to see all of us back in the NFL.”
And, it’s Haslett’s devotion to his players that motivates Williams, “Because he’s given me the chance I’ve wanted for so long to show what type of football player I can be, I will always play my heart out for Coach Haslett.” And according to Haslett, the feeling is mutual, “Shaud is one of my favorite guys on the team just because he is a guy who likes life and he’s a guy who loves football. He works hard. He’s a guy that goes in and really doesn’t miss anything. If he goes in and plays, he rushes for a lot of yards, he runs hard, he’s compact, he’s a great protector, and he runs good routes.”
Up next for Williams is a chance to return to the NFL. Several teams have shown interest in the running back. To learn more about Shaud Williams, you can check out his website at www.shaudwilliams.com and drop him an email.