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February 18, 2012

Back to the nest

Patriot Williams returns to TVCC for talk with players

TVCC Public Information The Athens Review

ATHENS — Less than two weeks after having appeared on football’s biggest stage, Malcolm Williams was Wednesday back in Athens on the campus of Trinity Valley Community College, where the road that took him to Super Bowl XLVI as a member of the New England Patriots began.

Williams, who was an all-conference defensive back for the Cardinals in the 2007 and  ‘08  seasons before moving on to play at TCU, stopped by to deliver his No. 41 Patriot jersey, which will be displayed in the TVCC field house. He also spoke to Cardinal players before their off-season workout.

“I’ve been where you are now and I know where it can lead,” Williams said. “If it hadn’t been for this place and Coach (Brad) Smiley and Coach (Will Reed), I wouldn’t be where I am today.”

Williams was a seventh-round selection by the Patriots in NFL Draft last April. Though he missed much of the season due to an injury, he healed just in time to get the call to the Patriots’ active roster for the end of the season and the playoffs, resulting in a three-year contract extension for the Grand Prairie native.

The Patriots fell 21-17 to the New York Giants in the Super Bowl in Indianapolis.

“Even though we took the ‘L’ this time, I feel like (Tom) Brady will get us back to the promised land two or three more times,” Williams said.

Though drafted for his skills as a special teams player, Williams said he will be given a look at safety next year.

“I’m looking forward to that chance,” Williams said.

Williams had a message for Cardinal players:

“Being nice and character will take you a long way,” he said. “I’m standing here telling you that saying ‘yes sir’ and ‘no sir’ and ‘yes mam’ and ‘no mam’ is the way to go.”

TVCC defensive coordinator Will Reed, who escorted Williams around campus to visit with administration, faculty and staffers like a proud father before he addressed the team, had nothing but praise for his former player.

“He is a great player and person,” Reed said. “I am so proud of him and know he will make the most of this opportunity.

“Like he said, he should have a chance to possibly play in two or three more Super Bowls.”

Before he finished his address, Williams told the Cardinals he hoped to have the opportunity to play with some of them in the NFL one day. “Maybe I’ll even hit a few of you!” he added with a smile.

— TVCC Public Information

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