Roosevelt Williams (American football) facts for kids

Roosevelt Williams, Jr. (born September 10, 1978) is an American former football player and coach. He played as a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL). Currently, he works as a defensive assistant for the New York Jets. He was chosen by the Chicago Bears in the third round of the 2002 NFL draft. He played college football at Tuskegee University.

Early Life and High School Football

Roosevelt Williams grew up in Jacksonville, Florida. He decided to attend Terry Parker High School, which was about 15 miles from his home. This change helped him stay focused and avoid distractions. At Parker High School, he was a talented athlete. He earned varsity letters in football, basketball, and track.

College Football Career

Williams first attended Savannah State University. Later, he transferred to Tuskegee University. At Tuskegee, he became known as one of the top five cornerbacks in the country. This made him a highly watched player for the 2002 NFL draft.

He was invited to important events like the NFL Combine, Senior Bowl, and the East-West Shrine Bowl. He participated in the NFL Combine and the Senior Bowl. At the Senior Bowl, he was even named a starter for the All-Star Game. Many considered him the best college defender in Alabama in 2002. Williams was named All-American and first-team all-Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) for all four years he played college football.

Professional Football Journey

Playing for the Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears selected Williams in the third round of the 2002 NFL draft. They got this draft pick from the Dallas Cowboys. During his first year, he played in 7 games and started in three. This was despite an ankle injury he got during training camp.

In Week 13, during a game against the Green Bay Packers, a wild play happened. The Packers' quarterback threw a long pass that was intercepted. The ball was fumbled twice, and Williams ended up with it. He tried to run for a touchdown, but a Packers player tackled him just short of the end zone. This play was talked about a lot in the news. In Week 14, Williams made his first start against the New York Jets. He played so well that he was named the player of the game. His performance helped stop the Jets from reaching the 2002 playoffs.

Time with the Denver Broncos

The Denver Broncos picked up Williams after he was released by the Bears. The Broncos made space for him by letting go of their third-string quarterback. However, Williams' time with the Broncos was short. After their starting quarterback got injured in Week 3, Williams was released to make room for another quarterback.

Playing for the Cleveland Browns

A few days after leaving the Broncos, Williams was signed by the Cleveland Browns. He played in 12 games for the Browns, starting in 3 of them. While with the Browns, he was part of a strong defense. Their pass defense was ranked 3rd in the league, and their overall defense was ranked 10th. In Week 13, the Browns played against the Denver Broncos in a very exciting game that went into overtime. Williams had a great game, making 8 tackles and breaking up several passes.

Coaching Career Highlights

After his playing career, Roosevelt Williams became a football coach. In 2019, he was named the head football coach at ASA College in Hialeah, Florida.

As of February 11, 2025, the New York Jets hired Williams. He now serves as a defensive assistant coach for the team.

Personal Life

Roosevelt Williams has an oldest son named Deontai Williams. Deontai played college football at Nebraska. In 2022, he signed with the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent. He currently plays for the BC Lions in the Canadian Football League (CFL).

Head Coaching Record