Reggie Williams (linebacker)
No. 57 | |||
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Position: | Linebacker | ||
Personal information | |||
Born: | Flint, Michigan, U.S. | September 19, 1954||
Height: | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | ||
Weight: | 230 lb (104 kg) | ||
Career information | |||
High school: | Flint Southwestern (Flint) | ||
College: | Dartmouth | ||
NFL draft: | 1976 / Round: 3 / Pick: 82 | ||
Career history | |||
Career highlights and awards | |||
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Career NFL statistics | |||
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Player stats at NFL.com | |||
Reginald Williams (born September 19, 1954) is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). He is a member of the Greater Flint Area Sports Hall of Fame, the Greater Flint Afro-American Hall of Fame, and the College Football Hall of Fame.[1][2] Williams served three years on the Cincinnati City Council.[2]
Early life
Williams was born on September 19, 1954, in
The recipient of an academic scholarship, Williams was a three-time All-Ivy League linebacker in football and Ivy League heavyweight wrestling champion in 1975 [citation needed] at Dartmouth College, graduating[2] in 1976 with an A.B. in psychology. He also took courses there in tai chi and ballet.[4]
NFL career
In 1976, Williams was selected in the third round by the
Williams recorded 16 interceptions and 23 fumble recoveries, still a franchise record. During his career Williams amassed 62.5 sacks, the second most in the team's history.[5] In his final two seasons with Cincinnati, he was appointed to an open seat on the Cincinnati City Council in 1988 and was elected for a second term in 1989 on the Charter Party ticket.
Williams has received numerous honors, including selection to the NFL All-Rookie Team (1976), the Byron "Whizzer" White Award for Humanitarian Service (1985), and the NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year Award (1986). He was also named Co-Sportsman of the Year in 1987 by Sports Illustrated.
Post-NFL life
After retiring from the NFL, Williams joined the
Williams was hired as director of sports development for Disney on April 19, 1993.
Although he was a starter for 14 seasons, Williams played most of his career on a bad right knee. He has had 24 knee surgeries since his career ended. He had the first surgery in 1979, plus knee replacements as well as multiple infections.
In December 2007 Williams was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame.[2] He received an honorary Doctor of Laws from Dartmouth College in 1990 and is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.[10] Williams now lives in Sarasota, Florida.
Reggie is the author of the book Resilient by Nature, released in September 2020 and published by Post Hill Press.[11]
References
- ^ Maghielse, Ross (September 4, 2013). "Flint native Reggie Williams struggling with injuries, aftermath of NFL career". Flint Journal. Mlive Media Group. Retrieved April 25, 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f g Robbins, Josh (November 14, 2007). "Reggie Williams to step down as Disney vice president of sports attractions". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved April 25, 2016.
- ^ a b "THE DAILY Goes One-on-One With Reggie Williams". Sports Business Daily. No. 125. March 21, 2007. Retrieved April 26, 2016.
- ^ a b c d Solano, Javier (March 27, 1998). "Directing Sports Of Disney". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved April 25, 2016.
- NFL.com.
- ^ Dame, Mike (2002-09-18). "Sports Complex overview". Daily Press. Tribune Publishing. Go2Orlando. Archived from the original on June 17, 2011. Retrieved 2008-09-05.
- ^ a b Daugherty, Paul (August 25, 2013). "Ex-Bengal Reggie Williams fighting to save his leg". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
- ^ Daugherty, Paul (November 22, 2016). "Doc: Medical cannabis an ally in Reggie Williams' fight against pain". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved March 17, 2018.
- ^ Harris, Zach (August 30, 2017). "Reggie Williams Opens Up About His Journey from NFL Star to Cannabis Activist". Merry Jane. Retrieved March 17, 2018.
- ^ "Dartmouth's Reggie Williams Selected for College Football Hall of Fame".
- ISBN 1642933880.