D. J. Williams (tight end)
Encyclopedia
David Edward "D. J." Williams Jr (born September 10, 1988) is an American football
tight end
for the Green Bay Packers
. He was drafted by the Packers out of University of Arkansas
in the fifth round (141st pick overall) in the 2011 NFL Draft
.
. He was encouraged to try football by high school coach Tim Perry.
. He was long considered a competitor for the 2010 John Mackey Award
which is awarded to the nation's most outstanding tight end, along with Lance Kendricks
and Michael Egnew
. On December 9, 2010 it was announced that DJ was the 2010 John Mackey Award recipient at the 2010 Home Depot College Football Awards Red Carpet show on ESPNU. He has also won the 2010 Disney Spirit Award as college football's most inspirational player. DJ was named to the 2010 1st Team All-SEC squad by the coaches and the AP, after amassing 54 receptions for 627 yards and 4 TD.
. Williams was selected in the fifth round, with the 141st overall pick, by the Green Bay Packers
.
as exemplifying the way he and his mother, Vickie Williams, and his two sisters overcame his abusive father and other challenges, including on the football field.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
tight end
Tight end
The tight end is a position in American football on the offense. The tight end is often seen as a hybrid position with the characteristics and roles of both an offensive lineman and a wide receiver. Like offensive linemen, they are usually lined up on the offensive line and are large enough to be...
for the Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
. He was drafted by the Packers out of University of Arkansas
University of Arkansas
The University of Arkansas is a public, co-educational, land-grant, space-grant, research university. It is classified by the Carnegie Foundation as a research university with very high research activity. It is the flagship campus of the University of Arkansas System and is located in...
in the fifth round (141st pick overall) in the 2011 NFL Draft
2011 NFL Draft
The 2011 NFL Draft was the 76th installment of the annual NFL Draft, where the franchises of the National Football League select newly eligible football players...
.
High school career
Williams attended Central Arkansas Christian High School, where his initial athletic interest was BasketballBasketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
. He was encouraged to try football by high school coach Tim Perry.
College career
Williams played college football for the Arkansas RazorbacksArkansas Razorbacks football
The Arkansas Razorbacks football program is a college football team that represents the University of Arkansas. The team is a member of the Southeastern Conference's Western Division, which is in Division I's Football Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
. He was long considered a competitor for the 2010 John Mackey Award
John Mackey Award
The John Mackey Award is presented annually to college football's most outstanding tight end.The award is given to the collegiate tight end who best exemplifies the play, sportsmanship, academics, and community values of NFL Hall of Fame tight end John Mackey....
which is awarded to the nation's most outstanding tight end, along with Lance Kendricks
Lance Kendricks
Lance Kendricks is an American football tight end with the St. Louis Rams of the National Football League. Prior to the 2011 NFL Draft, Kendricks was considered one of the top tight end prospects....
and Michael Egnew
Michael Egnew
Michael Egnew is an American football tight end for the Missouri Tigers. He is considered one of the best tight end prospects for the 2012 NFL Draft. He is from Plainview, Texas.-College career:...
. On December 9, 2010 it was announced that DJ was the 2010 John Mackey Award recipient at the 2010 Home Depot College Football Awards Red Carpet show on ESPNU. He has also won the 2010 Disney Spirit Award as college football's most inspirational player. DJ was named to the 2010 1st Team All-SEC squad by the coaches and the AP, after amassing 54 receptions for 627 yards and 4 TD.
Professional career
Williams was considered one of the best tight end prospects for the 2011 NFL Draft2011 NFL Draft
The 2011 NFL Draft was the 76th installment of the annual NFL Draft, where the franchises of the National Football League select newly eligible football players...
. Williams was selected in the fifth round, with the 141st overall pick, by the Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
.
Personal life
Williams is a member of Fellowship Bible Church in Northwest Arkansas. Although like other students Williams could have cited many accolades, he chose this statement alone to appear with his picture in the yearbook: "Baptized into Christ." Williams has cited the Passion of the ChristThe Passion of the Christ
The Passion of the Christ is a 2004 American drama film directed by Mel Gibson and starring Jim Caviezel as Jesus. It depicts the Passion of Jesus largely according to the New Testament Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John...
as exemplifying the way he and his mother, Vickie Williams, and his two sisters overcame his abusive father and other challenges, including on the football field.