Gizmo Williams facts for kids
| No. 2 | |
| Born: | May 31, 1962 Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. |
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| Career information | |
| CFL status | American |
| Position(s) | WR/PR/KR |
| Height | 5 ft 6 in (168 cm) |
| Weight | 185 lb (84 kg) |
| College | East Carolina |
| Career history | |
| As player | |
| 1985 | Memphis Showboats |
| 1986 | Calgary Stampeders* |
| 1986–1988 | Edmonton Eskimos |
| 1989 | Philadelphia Eagles |
| 1990–2000 | Edmonton Eskimos |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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| CFL All-Star | 1987, 1991–1994 |
| CFL West All-Star | 1987, 1988, 1991–1994, 1997 |
| Honors | 2002 - Edmonton Eskimos Wall of Honour |
| Records | Canadian Football League Records
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| Career stats | |
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Henry Lee "Gizmo" Williams (born May 31, 1962) is a retired American football player. He was known for being an amazing kick returner and wide receiver. After he stopped playing in 2000, Williams became a motivational speaker.
Henry Williams grew up in a difficult situation. He was raised by his brother Edgar after his parents passed away when he was young. Later, after Edgar's death, his aunt took care of him. Despite these challenges, Henry became a successful high school football player. This helped him go to East Carolina University.
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Gizmo's Football Journey
After college, Henry Williams joined the Memphis Showboats in the United States Football League. While playing there, a famous player named Reggie White gave him the nickname "Gizmo." This nickname stuck with him throughout his whole career because of how quick and shifty he was on the field.
Playing in the CFL
After one season with the Showboats in 1985, Williams moved to the Canadian Football League (CFL). He signed with the Edmonton Eskimos (now called the Edmonton Elks). He played for the Eskimos for most of his career, from 1986 to 2000. He did play a short time with the Philadelphia Eagles in 1989, but then returned to Edmonton.
A Star Returner
Even though Henry Williams was not very tall (about 5 feet 6 inches), he was a perfect fit for Canadian football as a kick returner. He was good at catching passes, sometimes gaining over 900 yards in a season. But he was most famous for his incredible returns.
Williams became known for doing a cool flip after scoring a touchdown. Fans loved this move! During his time with the Eskimos, Gizmo set more than 20 CFL records. He is still the league's all-time leader in both punt return and kickoff return yards. He also holds the record for the most kick return touchdowns, with 31 in total. One of his most famous plays was a 115-yard touchdown return in the 1987 Grey Cup game.
Honors and Achievements
Henry "Gizmo" Williams received many awards for his amazing career:
- In 2002, his jersey number 2 was added to the Edmonton Eskimos Wall of Honour. This is a special way to remember great players.
- Four years later, in 2006, Williams was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame. This is one of the highest honors for a football player in Canada.
- In November 2006, he was voted one of the Top 50 players of the CFL's modern era by The Sports Network (TSN). He was ranked #25 on this list.
Life Beyond Football
Henry Williams has coached football for young athletes. For example, he coached the senior team at Jasper Place High School.
