DeAngelo Williams has a clear vision for his latest career “run” as the Pittsburgh Steelers newest running back.
“I want to win a (Super Bowl) championship,” said Williams, a former U of M standout who was recently inducted into the University’s M Club Hall of Fame. “I’m going to go out and put everything on the line.”
This spring, the Carolina Panthers released Williams after nine years with the team.
“I have no complaints or ill will with any organization out there,” Williams responded.
Prior to playing professionally, he earned his stripes as a Memphis Tiger. He continues to hold NCAA, U of M and Conference USA records. He led the Tigers to three straight bowl games from 2003-05.
Many colleges were interested in Williams when he was a high school star in Wynne, Arkansas, but Memphis stood out.
“When I was being recruited, the University of Memphis gave me my real opportunity,” the star said.
Randy Fichtner, Williams’s offensive coordinator at Memphis, recruited Williams out of high school. After many other offers, Fitchner’s recruiting pitch hit home.
“You can be a part of history or you can make history,” Fichtner told Williams.
Fourteen years later, Fichtner sat before him again as he signed to play for the Steelers. This time, however, Fichtner is the quarterback coach for the Steelers. Not only do Williams and Fichtner have roots at the U of M, but Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin and defensive coordinator Keith Butler do as well. Tomlin and Butler are former Tiger assistant coaches. Butler also was an All-American linebacker at the U of M in the 1970s.
“There’s a lot of Memphis [Tiger] blood in Pittsburgh,” Williams said.
After embracing local stardom, Williams could have entered the NFL draft following his junior year at Memphis, yet he stayed with the U of M, studied accounting, minored in marketing and played football.
“I stayed because there was no reason for me to leave,” Williams said. “Everything was ascending. [I stayed] for the U of M, the Athletic Department, and the fans.”
His love for the U of M prompted Williams to give back to future Tigers by donating money to renovate the football locker rooms. He said he looked at other schools and everyone’s locker room was nice. He donated to give the program a better chance of recruiting.
He said he exchanges locker room stories with his teammates now as well.
“The worst thing in our locker room to happen is if the U of M wins at anything,” Williams said.
He said he’s gotten in several arguments with teammates over the U of M and he always stands up for its programs. Williams had a lot to be proud of this past season with the Tigers tying for first place in the American Athletic Conference and winning the Miami Beach Bowl.
“Look, at the end of the day, the U of M took care of me so I’m going to take care of them,” Williams said.
When it comes to balancing work and family, Williams makes it look easy. He is very involved in social media and often features his children in his posts. A few weeks ago, he posted a video singing songs from the animated film “Frozen” with his daughter.
One would think that growing up and having children under the spotlight as a professional athlete might change a person. This is not the case for Williams, said Jennifer Rodrigues, assistant athletic director when Williams played at Memphis.
“He is so genuine,” Rodrigues said. “He is the same person he was in college even after having a nearly 10-year successful career in the NFL.”
Rodrigues was in charge of his “Race for the Heisman” campaign in 2005, and got to know him extremely well.
“One of my proudest moments was when DeAngelo invited me to be one of his guests last month when he was inducted into the M Club Hall of Fame…I was so proud that he was being honored because there is no better ambassador for the U of M than DeAngelo Williams,” Rodrigues said. “He is a Tiger through and through.”
For now, he’s bleeding black and gold as a Pittsburgh Steeler.
“When I heard that the Carolina Panthers cut him, the first thought in my mind was that the Pittsburgh Steelers could go after him,” said Steelers fanatic Mike Young of Ripley, Tennessee. “He’s going to be a huge factor for us because in this day and age, you really need two quality backs to go deep in the playoffs.”
Former Tiger running back DeAngelo Williams ran for over 6,000 yards and scored 60 touchdowns in four seasons for the Blue and Gray. Photo courtsey of the University of Memphis.
