Roy Williams (wide receiver)

Infobox NFLactive
name=Roy Williams


caption=Roy Williams posing for a picture with a fan during a Texas Longhorns football team autograph session
currentteam= Detroit Lions
currentnumber=11
currentposition=Wide receiver
birthdate=birth date and age|1981|12|20
birthplace=Odessa, Texas
heightft=6
heightin=3
weight=211
debutyear=2004
debutteam=Detroit Lions
highlights=
* 1x Pro Bowl selection (2006)
* Cotton Bowl MVP (2003)
college=Texas
draftyear=2004
draftround=1
draftpick=7
pastteams=
* Detroit Lions (2004-present)
statweek=17
statseason=2007
statlabel1=Receptions
statvalue1=245
statlabel2=Receiving Yards
statvalue2=3,652
statlabel3=Receiving TDs
statvalue3=28
nfl=WIL511864

Roy Eugene Williams, Jr. (born December 20, 1981) is an American football player who currently plays wide receiver for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. He was selected 7th overall in the 2004 NFL Draft out of the University of Texas.

Early years

Williams was born in Odessa, Texas. A versatile and acclaimed athlete, Williams earned the nickname "The Legend" while in high school at Permian High School.

Williams also competed in track at Permian and in the spring of 2000 he won the long jump with a jump of 25'6", placed 2nd in the high jump jumping 6'10" and 3rd in the 100-meter dash(L.king 10.22,A.O Britton 10.28) with a time of 10.38s at the state track meet.

College career

Arriving at Austin, Williams and fellow freshmen receivers BJ Johnson and Sloan Thomas were touted as the most talented group of receivers in school history, but Johnson and Thomas spent their careers trying to live up to expectations.

NFL career

2004 NFL Draft

Williams was drafted by the 7th overall in the first round of the 2004 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions. Many draft experts considered the pick a bold move since they had drafted Charles Rogers with the 2nd overall pick just a year earlier. While the pick was bold, it was also widely hailed by draft gurus and fans, as Williams was widely considered to be a top-3 talent, giving the Lions top value. The two receivers, along with rookie running back Kevin Jones, were supposed to provide the foundation of an explosive Lions offense.

("* represents NFL Combine")

Detroit Lions

Rogers and Williams were set to become one of the best receiving duos in the league, but when Rogers was hurt on the third play of the 2004 season, Williams was left to carry the offense. He performed admirably, catching 54 passes for 817 yards and 8 touchdowns, despite suffering an ankle injury midway through the season that limited his effectiveness. The team performed terribly and spent their first round draft pick (10th overall) on yet another receiver, this time USC star Mike Williams. Roy Williams had a productive year for the 2006 Lions, having 1,310 yards and 7 touchdowns. The 1,310 were the most in the NFC; and tied with Indianapolis Colts receiver Reggie Wayne for 3rd most in the NFL. Roy Williams and teammate Mike Furrey caught more passes (178) than any other duo in the NFC. Williams was named an alternate for the 2007 Pro Bowl. When Torry Holt withdrew due to injury, Williams was named to the active squad. He is the first Detroit wide receiver to make the Pro Bowl since 1998 (Herman Moore). During and before the NFL draft of 2008 there were rumors of a possible trade to Dallas and some other teams. However, that proved to be false as he wasn't traded.

Personal

Roy Williams also played a small role in the 2004 sports film "Friday Night Lights", playing the role of an assistant coach for the rival football team at Robert E. Lee High School. He was a star athlete at Permian High School, and his older brother was on the team the movie was based on. His one spoken line in the film is "He ain’t going to play." [ [http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Football/NFL/2004/10/10/664134.html CANOE - SLAM! Sports - NFL: Lights, camera ] ] [http://www.southend.wayne.edu/modules/news/article.php?storyid=337]

References

External links

* [http://www.detroitlions.com/bio.cfm?bio_id=219&season=6 Roy Williams Official Team Biography]
* [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1721939/ Roy Williams on IMDb]
* [http://www.mojoland.net/virtual/ Roy Williams in Permian's Football Museum]
* [http://www.roywilliams.net Roy Williams Fan Site]