Roland Williams

Infobox NFLretired


caption=
position=Tight End
number=86
birthdate=birth date and age|1975|4|27
Rochester, New York
debutyear=1998
finalyear=2005
draftyear=1998
draftround=4
draftpick=98
college=Syracuse
teams=
* St. Louis Rams (1998-2000)
* Oakland Raiders (2001-2002)
* Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2003)
* Oakland Raiders (2004)
* Atlanta Falcons (2005)
stat1label=Receptions
stat1value=114
stat2label=Receiving Yards
stat2value=1,004
stat3label=Total Touchdowns
stat3value=13
nfl=WIL508882
highlights=
* Super Bowl champion (XXXIV)

Roland Lamar Williams (born April 27, 1975 in Rochester, New York), is a former [tight end] from Syracuse, American football player. An 8-year NFL veteran, Roland has enjoyed great success on the field and off. Roland was selected in the 1998 NFL Draft by the St. Louis Rams and earned Offensive Rookie of the Year honors during his first season. A multi-year starter, Roland went on to win Super Bowl XXXIV in the thrilling Rams victory over the Tennessee Titans. Following his Super Bowl victory, Roland played three years for the Oakland Raiders, where he won the American Football Conference Championship. In 2003, Roland played one season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In unique fashion, Roland returned to play another season with the Oakland Raiders and then the subsequent season with the St. Louis Rams before a career ending neck injury sidelined him in 2006. Known throughout his career as a premier blocking tight end in the NFL, its Roland’s persona that has labeled him as one of the most positive and energetic athletes in professional sports.

Off the football field, Roland is an even bigger star at helping others. In 1999, Roland founded Youth Lifeline America, a charitable organization that partners with athletes, entertainers and executives to harness the powerful influence of sports and entertainment to provide free educational training to at-risk youth across the nation. Roland has received many awards for his charitable efforts including the prestigious NFL Unsung Hero Award, 2-time Oakland Raiders Man of the Year Award, the Press Radio Club Pro Athlete of the Year Award and multi-year finalist for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award. Williams played 8 NFL seasons from 1998-2005. He is currently a studio analyst for College Football on Versus.