Jamal Williams
Encyclopedia
Jamal Williams is an American football
nose tackle who is currently a free agent
of the National Football League
. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers
in the second round of the 1998 Supplemental Draft
. He played college football
at Oklahoma State
.
With his massive 6′3″, 350-pound frame, Williams has been described as a "textbook block-of-granite noseman" by SI.com′s Peter King
.
by his mother, Harriet, a single parent. A two-time All-Met selection at Archbishop Carroll High School
in Washington, Williams played linebacker at 6′3″, 255 pounds. He was named a Super Prep All-American in 1994.
Williams played at Oklahoma State University in 1995. In 1996, he transferred to Kemper Military School and Junior College in Boonville, Missouri
, where he was a standout in the junior college ranks. In 1997, Williams returned to Oklahoma State and was named 1st Team All-Big 12. He finished his career with 117 tackles and 9.5 sacks. He majored in sociology at OSU.
Williams was drafted in the second-round of the 1998 NFL Supplemental Draft by the San Diego Chargers
. The highlight of his rookie season
occurred on December 13, when he scored a touchdown on a 14-yard interception return against the Seattle Seahawks
. He finished the season with 6 tackles (5 solo), 1 pass deflection, and 1 interception in 9 games. In 1999
, he recorded 26 tackles (22 solo), 1 sack, and 2 pass deflections in 16 games (2 starts). In 2000
, Williams finished with 52 tackles (45 solo), 1 sack, and 1 forced fumble in 16 starts. He suffered a season ending injury in the 3rd game of the 2001 season
and finished with just 2 solo tackles. However, he worked his way back into the starting line-up in 2002
, earning the Ed Block Courage Award
for his efforts. Williams recorded 23 tackles (19 solo), 2.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and 2 pass deflections in 12 games during the 2002 season. During the 2003 season
, Williams posted totals of 33 tackles (24 solo), 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, and 1 pass deflection in 15 games.
The Chargers switched to a 3-4 defensive scheme in 2004 and fielded Williams at nose tackle, arguably the most important position in the 3-4 defense. Williams recorded 32 tackles (25 solo), 4 sacks, and 4 pass deflections in 15 games. He became widely recognized as one of the top 3-4 nose tackles in the NFL and was named an AP 2nd Team All-Pro
. In the 2005 season
, Williams recorded 53 tackles (40 solo) and 4 pass deflections in 16 games and was named a Pro Bowl starter and was named 1st Team All-Pro
by the Associated Press
and The Sporting News
. He finished the 2006 season
with 69 tackles (49 solo), 2 sacks, and 2 pass deflections in 16 games and was again named a Pro Bowl starter, as well as 1st Team All-Pro
by the AP, The Sporting News, and the Football Writers Association of America
. During the 2007 season
, Williams recorded 39 tackles (32 solo), 1 forced fumble, and 2 pass deflections in 13 games and was named a Pro Bowl reserve following the season. Williams finished 2008
with 56 tackles (46 solo), 1.5 sacks, and 3 pass deflections in 16 games. In 2009
, Williams suffered a season-ending triceps injury in the first game and finished with just 3 solo tackles.
On March 4, 2010, Williams was released by the Chargers.
On March 3, 2011, the Broncos released Williams.
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...
nose tackle who is currently a free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
of the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers
San Diego Chargers
The San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
in the second round of the 1998 Supplemental Draft
1998 NFL Draft
The 1998 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 18-19, 1998...
. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at Oklahoma State
Oklahoma State Cowboys football
The Oklahoma State Cowboys football program represents Oklahoma State University–Stillwater in college football. The team is a member of the Big 12 Conference and completes at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level. The Cowboys are led by Mike Gundy, who is in his seventh year as...
.
With his massive 6′3″, 350-pound frame, Williams has been described as a "textbook block-of-granite noseman" by SI.com′s Peter King
Peter King (sportswriter)
Peter King is an American sportswriter. He currently writes for Sports Illustrated and its Web site, including the weekly multiple-page column Monday Morning Quarterback. He is the author of five books, most notably Inside the Helmet, as well as a TV analyst and reporter...
.
Early years
Williams is the second oldest of seven boys, was raised in Washington, D.C.Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
by his mother, Harriet, a single parent. A two-time All-Met selection at Archbishop Carroll High School
Archbishop Carroll High School (Washington, DC)
Archbishop Carroll High School is a private, Catholic high school located in Washington, D.C. It is owned and operated by the Archdiocese of Washington.-Background:...
in Washington, Williams played linebacker at 6′3″, 255 pounds. He was named a Super Prep All-American in 1994.
Williams played at Oklahoma State University in 1995. In 1996, he transferred to Kemper Military School and Junior College in Boonville, Missouri
Boonville, Missouri
This page is about the city in Missouri. For other communities of the same name, see Boonville Boonville is a city in Cooper County, Missouri, USA. The population was 8,202 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Cooper County. The city was the site of a skirmish early in the American Civil...
, where he was a standout in the junior college ranks. In 1997, Williams returned to Oklahoma State and was named 1st Team All-Big 12. He finished his career with 117 tackles and 9.5 sacks. He majored in sociology at OSU.
San Diego Chargers
San Diego Chargers
The San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. The highlight of his rookie season
1998 NFL season
The 1998 NFL season was the 79th regular season of the National Football League.The Tennessee Oilers moved their home games from Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis to Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville, still awaiting construction on a new stadium in Nashville.This was the first season that CBS...
occurred on December 13, when he scored a touchdown on a 14-yard interception return against the Seattle Seahawks
Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team joined the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team...
. He finished the season with 6 tackles (5 solo), 1 pass deflection, and 1 interception in 9 games. In 1999
1999 NFL season
The 1999 NFL season was the 80th regular season of the National Football League. The Cleveland Browns returned to the field for the first time since the 1995 season...
, he recorded 26 tackles (22 solo), 1 sack, and 2 pass deflections in 16 games (2 starts). In 2000
2000 NFL season
The 2000 NFL season was the 81st regular season of the National Football League. The season ended with Super Bowl XXXV when the Baltimore Ravens defeated the New York Giants.Week 1 of the season reverted to Labor Day weekend in 2000...
, Williams finished with 52 tackles (45 solo), 1 sack, and 1 forced fumble in 16 starts. He suffered a season ending injury in the 3rd game of the 2001 season
2001 NFL season
The 2001 NFL season was the 82nd regular season of the National Football League.Following a pattern set in 1999, the first week of the season was permanently moved to the weekend following Labor Day...
and finished with just 2 solo tackles. However, he worked his way back into the starting line-up in 2002
2002 NFL season
The 2002 NFL season was the 83rd regular season of the National Football League.The league went back to an even number of teams, expanding to 32 teams with the addition of the Houston Texans. The clubs were then realigned into eight divisions, four teams in each...
, earning the Ed Block Courage Award
Ed Block Courage Award
The Ed Block Courage Award is an annual award presented to selected players in the National Football League , who are voted by their teammates as role models of inspiration, sportsmanship, and courage. Named in memory of Ed Block, a well-liked humanitarian and trainer for the Baltimore Colts, the...
for his efforts. Williams recorded 23 tackles (19 solo), 2.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and 2 pass deflections in 12 games during the 2002 season. During the 2003 season
2003 NFL season
-Milestones:The following teams and players set all-time NFL records during the season:-Team:-Individual:-Awards:-External Links:**-References:*NFL Record and Fact Book *...
, Williams posted totals of 33 tackles (24 solo), 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, and 1 pass deflection in 15 games.
The Chargers switched to a 3-4 defensive scheme in 2004 and fielded Williams at nose tackle, arguably the most important position in the 3-4 defense. Williams recorded 32 tackles (25 solo), 4 sacks, and 4 pass deflections in 15 games. He became widely recognized as one of the top 3-4 nose tackles in the NFL and was named an AP 2nd Team All-Pro
2004 All-Pro Team
The 2004 All-Pro Team is composed of the National Football League players that were named to the Associated Press, Pro Football Writers Association, and The Sporting News All-Pro Teams in 2004. Both first and second teams are listed for the AP team. These are the three teams that are included in...
. In the 2005 season
2005 NFL season
The 2005 NFL season was the 86th regular season of the National Football League.With the New England Patriots as the defending league champions, regular season play was held from September 8, 2005 to January 1, 2006...
, Williams recorded 53 tackles (40 solo) and 4 pass deflections in 16 games and was named a Pro Bowl starter and was named 1st Team All-Pro
2005 All-Pro Team
The 2005 All-Pro Team is composed of the National Football League players that were named to the Associated Press, Pro Football Writers Association, and The Sporting News All-Pro Teams in 2005. Both first and second teams are listed for the AP team. These are the three teams that are included in...
by the Associated Press
Associated Press
The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
and The Sporting News
The Sporting News
Sporting News is an American-based sports magazine. It was established in 1886, and it became the dominant American publication covering baseball — so much so that it acquired the nickname "The Bible of Baseball"...
. He finished the 2006 season
2006 NFL season
The 2006 NFL season was the 87th regular season of the National Football League.Regular season play was held from September 7 to December 31, 2006...
with 69 tackles (49 solo), 2 sacks, and 2 pass deflections in 16 games and was again named a Pro Bowl starter, as well as 1st Team All-Pro
2006 All-Pro Team
-Offense: -Defense:-Special teams:-Key:*AP = Associated Press All-Pro team*AP-2 = Associated Press Second-team All-Pro*PFWA = Pro Football Writers Association/Pro Football Weekly All-Pro team*TSN = The Sporting News All-Pro Team-References:**...
by the AP, The Sporting News, and the Football Writers Association of America
Football Writers Association of America
The Football Writers Association of America is one of the organizations whose College Football All-America Team is recognized by the NCAA...
. During the 2007 season
2007 NFL season
The 2007 NFL season was the 88th regular season of the National Football League.Regular-season play was held from September 6 to December 30....
, Williams recorded 39 tackles (32 solo), 1 forced fumble, and 2 pass deflections in 13 games and was named a Pro Bowl reserve following the season. Williams finished 2008
2008 NFL season
The 2008 NFL season was the 89th regular season of the National Football League, themed with the slogan "Believe in Now."Super Bowl XLIII, the league's championship game, was at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on February 1, 2009, with the Pittsburgh Steelers coming out victorious over the...
with 56 tackles (46 solo), 1.5 sacks, and 3 pass deflections in 16 games. In 2009
2009 NFL season
The 2009 NFL season was the 90th regular season of the National Football League.The preseason started with the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game on August 9, 2009, and the regular season began September 10. The season ended with Super Bowl XLIV, the league's championship game, on February 7, 2010 at...
, Williams suffered a season-ending triceps injury in the first game and finished with just 3 solo tackles.
On March 4, 2010, Williams was released by the Chargers.
Denver Broncos
On March 9, 2010, Williams signed a 3 year, $16 million contract with the Broncos with $7 million guaranteed and an additional $6 million available through incentives.On March 3, 2011, the Broncos released Williams.