Roy Williams (safety) facts for kids
Williams while playing for the Cowboys in 2008
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| No. 31, 38 | |||||||||||||
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| Position: | Safety | ||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||
| Born: | August 14, 1980 Redwood City, California, U.S. |
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| Height: | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | ||||||||||||
| Weight: | 222 lb (101 kg) | ||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||
| High school: | Logan (Union City, California) | ||||||||||||
| College: | Oklahoma | ||||||||||||
| NFL Draft: | 2002 / Round: 1 / Pick: 8 | ||||||||||||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||||
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| Player stats at PFR | |||||||||||||
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College Football Hall of Fame
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Roy Lee Williams (born August 14, 1980) is a former American football player. He played as a safety in the National Football League (NFL) for nine seasons. Roy was known for his strong tackles and powerful hits on the field.
He played college football for the Oklahoma Sooners. There, he was recognized as an unanimous All-American, meaning he was one of the best players in the country. The Dallas Cowboys picked him eighth overall in the 2002 NFL draft. He also played for the Cincinnati Bengals. Roy was chosen for the Pro Bowl five times in a row from 2003 to 2007.
Today, Williams works as a sideline reporter for Oklahoma football games.
Early Life and High School Football
Roy Williams was born in Redwood City, California. He went to James Logan High School in Union City, California. At Logan High, he was a star player for the Colts football team. He played several positions, including quarterback, wide receiver, and defensive back.
College Career at Oklahoma
Williams attended the University of Oklahoma. He played for the Oklahoma Sooners team from 1999 to 2001. His coach was Bob Stoops.
Winning a National Championship
In 2000, Roy was a starter on the undefeated Oklahoma Sooners team. They won the BCS National Championship. During this season, he set a school record for tackles that stopped plays for a loss. He had 12 such tackles as a defensive back.
Awards and Big Plays
In 2001, his junior year, Roy won two major awards. He received the Bronko Nagurski Trophy as the best defensive player in the nation. He also won the Jim Thorpe Award as the best defensive back. That year, his team had a 10–2 record and won the Cotton Bowl Classic. He was named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year. He was also a first-team All-Big 12 selection. Roy was recognized as a unanimous first-team All-American. After this successful season, he decided to enter the NFL draft early.
The "Superman" Play
At Oklahoma, Roy was nicknamed "Superman." He is famous for a play in the 2001 Red River Shootout game. The Sooners were leading 7–3 against the Longhorns with little time left. Texas was trying to score a game-winning touchdown.
Texas started their drive close to their own goal line. Roy timed the snap perfectly. He rushed in from the blindside and hit the Texas quarterback, Chris Simms. The hit was so strong that Simms dropped the ball. Oklahoma linebacker Teddy Lehman picked up the ball and ran it into the endzone for a touchdown. This play sealed the win for Oklahoma.
This famous play is honored on a mural plaque. It is at the Roy Williams Strength and Speed Complex at the University of Oklahoma. The complex is named after him because of his achievements and a large donation he made.
Professional NFL Career
Roy Williams was known for his powerful style of play. He was a strong tackler, especially against running plays.
Dallas Cowboys Years
The Dallas Cowboys picked Roy in the first round of the 2002 NFL draft. He was the eighth player chosen overall. In his rookie year (2002), he played free safety. He played alongside strong safety Darren Woodson. Roy tied a team record by returning two interceptions for touchdowns. He was also a runner-up for Defensive Rookie of the Year.
In 2003, with help from Woodson, Roy had a great season. He made his first trip to the Pro Bowl. He was part of the Cowboys' top-ranked defense. They reached the playoffs for the first time since 1999.
In 2004, a new rule was made in the NFL. It banned the "horse-collar tackle." This tackle involves grabbing a player from behind by the shoulder pads or jersey. It was sometimes called the "Roy Williams Rule." This was because Roy had used the technique in plays that led to three serious injuries.
Roy was sometimes called "Biscuit" by fans. This nickname came from his former coach, Bill Parcells. In 2003, Parcells joked about Roy's weight. He said Roy was "a biscuit short of a linebacker."
In 2005, Roy continued to play strongly. He had 2.5 sacks and three interceptions. He earned his third Pro Bowl spot. In 2006, the Cowboys signed him to a four-year contract extension.
In 2007, Roy was suspended for one game for using the horse-collar tackle again. Despite this, he was named to the Pro Bowl for the fifth time in a row. He replaced the late Sean Taylor.
For the 2008 season, Roy changed his jersey number to 38. This was his college number. He said the number 8 in the Bible means a new beginning. That year, he broke his forearm in the second game. He missed four games. When he returned, he broke the same forearm again. This injury ended his season.
On October 14, 2008, the Cowboys traded for another player named Roy E. Williams. This meant two Pro Bowl players with the same name were on the team! In March 2009, the Cowboys released Roy Williams (the safety) at his request.
Cincinnati Bengals Years
Roy signed with the Cincinnati Bengals in May 2009. He played in four games before breaking his forearm again. This injury ended his 2009 season. In 2010, he signed another one-year contract with the Bengals. He had 59 tackles, one sack, and one interception that year.
Retirement and Beyond
On August 24, 2011, Roy Williams announced his retirement from football. He then took a job as a sideline reporter for Oklahoma Sooners football games. He also appeared on the TV show Storage Wars: Texas. He was on five episodes in season 2.
Personal Life
In July 2004, Roy Williams started the Roy Williams Safety Net Foundation. He was inspired by his sister, Alecia, who was a single mother. The foundation helps low-income single mothers. It gives them support and guidance to improve their lives.
Roy Williams was once engaged to singer Kelly Rowland. His aunt, Vecepia Towery, was the winner of the TV show Survivor: Marquesas. Roy has three children with his wife, Kristy. He has known Kristy since middle school.
Images for kids
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Williams (upper right) during the 2006 Pro Bowl.
