Garry Williams (gridiron football)

For those of the same name, see Gary Williams (disambiguation).
Garry Williams
No. 67 Calgary Stampeders
Position: Offensive tackle
Personal information
Date of birth: (1986-08-20) August 20, 1986
Place of birth: Atlanta, Georgia
Height: 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight: 315 lb (143 kg)
Career information
High school: Louisville (KY) Seneca
College: Kentucky
Undrafted: 2009
Career history
Roster status: Active
Career NFL statistics
Games played: 41
Games started: 21
Fumble recoveries: 1
Player stats at NFL.com

Garry Williams (born August 20, 1986) is a gridiron football offensive tackle for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League. He previously played for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League, who signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2009. He attended the University of Kentucky, where he played college football for the Wildcats while studying community communications and leadership development.[1]

Williams dealt with repeated injuries while playing for the Carolina Panthers. His injuries prevented him from being a consistent starter despite multiple opportunities. In 2012, Williams played a complete season and contributed to a team record 29 first downs in a single game.

High school career

Williams played high school football at Seneca High School MCA for the Red Hawks, where he started at the defensive tackle position as a freshman before switching to offensive tackle. The Red Hawks competed in the playoffs each year that Williams played. In his senior year, he was named a 2003 first-team all-state player by the Associated Press and the Courier-Journal after leading his team to a 10–2 record and the second round of state playoffs. The Red Hawks were also ranked first in the state for the first time in school history that season. Williams also played track and field at Seneca, and he was ranked second in the state at shot put in 2003.[2]

College career

In early 2004, Williams committed to play football at the University of Kentucky, but he did not join the team that season.[3] He later recommitted to Kentucky in 2005 and enrolled that year.[4] In the 2005 season, Williams played in five games before starting in the final three matches of the season at left tackle. He started 12 games in his sophomore year and was named the Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman by the team.[2] In early 2007, Williams was indefinitely suspended from the Wildcats for academic reasons,[5] but his suspension was later lifted prior to the start of the season.[6]

In 2007, Williams started in all 13 games and was named a second-team All-SEC player.[7] The Wildcat's offense also broke the team record for most points scored in a season with 475 points in Williams' junior year.[1] Williams was named the SEC's offensive lineman of the week for his play against the Florida Atlantic Owls on September 29.[6] As a senior, Williams was again named to the All-SEC second-team after starting in 11 games.[8] He was also named the team's most outstanding offensive lineman after allowing only a single sack the entire season. A knee injury caused Williams to miss two games as a senior. He finished his career at Kentucky with 45 games played and 39 starts.[1]

Professional career

Carolina Panthers

Williams was eligible for the 2009 NFL Draft but went undrafted. He was later signed by the Carolina Panthers as a free agent, and was the only undrafted rookie to make the active roster of the Panthers following training camp.[9] Williams made his NFL debut in Week 11 of his rookie season against the Miami Dolphins. He went on to play in seven games in 2009, where he was utilized mostly on special teams. In 2010, Williams played in all 16 regular season games, while starting in 11.[1] He started for the first time against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 7, and remained a starter for the rest of the season.[10] In Carolina's final preseason game of 2011, Williams suffered a broken ankle,[11] causing him to miss the entire season. Head coach Ron Rivera later said the Panthers had planned on Williams taking on the role of a starter prior to his injury.[12]

In 2012, Williams played in all 16 games and started in nine. In Week 15 against the San Diego Chargers, Williams started and contributed to the Panthers breaking a team record with 29 first downs.[13] Williams also started on the offensive line that helped reach 273 rushing yards and 530 total offensive yards in Week 17 against the New Orleans Saints, both the second highest values in team history.[1][14] Prior to the 2013 season, the Panthers released right guard Geoff Hangartner and announced Williams as the likely starter. He started against the Seattle Seahawks in the regular season opener, but was injured and left the game. He was later diagnosed with a torn ACL and MCL in his left knee, ending his season.[15] Williams played in the 2014 season opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but left practice later that week with coaches citing a sore hip.[16] He was later placed on injured reserve with a back injury, ending his season.[17] Williams became a free agent in 2015 and the Panthers did not resign him.[18]

Calgary Stampeders

The Calgary Stampeders signed Williams as an international free agent on May 28, 2015.[18] Williams made the Stampeders' active roster following preseason and made his CFL debut on July 18 against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.[19] He started three games at left tackle before being forced to leave the August 1st game against the Montreal Alouettes with an arm injury. After Williams reportedly had X-rays of his elbow taken,[20] he was diagnosed with a hyperextended right elbow.[21] He suffered multiple injuries during the rest of the regular season, causing him to sit out several games.[22][23] He returned in time to play in both playoff games for Calgary.[24]

Personal life

Williams was born in Atlanta, Georgia to Garry Williams Sr. and Angela Williams. While playing college football and studying public service and leadership at the University of Kentucky, he was involved in community service. He helped with a "Breakfast with Santa" event at the University of Kentucky Children's Hospital and rang bells to collect donations for the Salvation Army.[2]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Garry Williams". Carolina Panthers. Retrieved 1 August 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 "Garry Williams". Kentucky Wildcats. Retrieved 2 August 2015.
  3. ↑ "Division I football signees". Cincinnati Post. 5 February 2004. p. C4.0.
  4. ↑ "SEC SIGNEES Series: NATIONAL SIGNING DAY". St.Petersburg Times. 3 February 2005. p. 6C.
  5. ↑ "Friday's sports roundup". Cincinnati Post. 9 March 2007. p. C2.0.
  6. 1 2 "Patchwork offensive line protects UK's Woodson". The Tuscaloosa News. 3 October 2007.
  7. ↑ "COLLEGE FOOTBALL: 2007 ALL-SEC TEAM". Savannah Morning News. 5 December 2007. p. 2B.
  8. ↑ Dirocco, Michael (9 December 2008). "Four Gators on SEC First Team Tebow Chosen as the Offensive Player of the Year by the AP". Florida Times Union. p. C.3.
  9. ↑ Reed, Steve (7 September 2009). "Panthers make deep cuts, one surprise". Times – News (Halifax Media Group). p. 11.
  10. ↑ "Five things to watch today when the 49ers meet the Panthers". Times – News (Halifax Media Group). 24 October 2010. p. 19.
  11. ↑ Strickland, Bryan (5 September 2011). "Panthers sign pair of offensive linemen". Carolina Panthers. Retrieved 2 August 2015.
  12. ↑ "Ex-Cat Johnson injures hamstring; Trevathan impressing in Bronco camp". Lexington Herald-Leader. 3 August 2013. Retrieved 2 August 2015.
  13. ↑ Henson, Max (16 December 2012). "Carolina charges past San Diego, 31–7". Carolina Panthers. Retrieved 2 August 2015.
  14. ↑ Mickles, Sheldon (30 December 2012). "Panthers run over defenseless Saints, 44–38". The Advocate. Retrieved 2 August 2015.
  15. ↑ "NFL TODAY: Cowboys breathe sigh of relief as Romo X-ray comes back negative". Daily Mail. Associated Press. 7 September 2013. Retrieved 2 August 2015.
  16. ↑ Strickland, Bryan (12 September 2014). "RB Williams questionable for home opener". Carolina Panthers. Retrieved 2 August 2015.
  17. ↑ Strickland, Bryan (28 September 2014). "Panthers-Ravens inactives". Carolina Panthers. Retrieved 2 August 2015.
  18. 1 2 Mingo, Rita (28 May 2015). "Former Carolina Panther Williams hoping to add experience to Stamps offensive line". Calgary Herald. Retrieved 2 August 2015.
  19. ↑ "Garry Williams". Calgary Stampeders. Archived from the original on 10 September 2015. Retrieved 2 August 2015.
  20. ↑ Fisher, Scott (1 August 2015). "Calgary Stampeders battle back from huge deficit in win over Als". Calgary Sun. Retrieved 2 August 2015.
  21. ↑ Mitchell, Scott (2 August 2015). "Stamps Notebook – O line survives scare as Garry Williams appears ready to go against Ottawa Redblacks". Calgary Sun. Retrieved 3 August 2015.
  22. ↑ Fisher, Scott (7 September 2015). "Offensive lineinjury woes continue for the Calgary Stampeders". Calgary Sun. Retrieved 19 March 2016.
  23. ↑ Mitchell, Scott (6 October 2015). "Calgary Stampeders notebook -- Garry Williams on road to returning to offensive line". Calgary Sun. Retrieved 19 March 2016.
  24. ↑ Fisher, Scott (17 November 2015). "Status of Calgary Stampeders' offensive line up in air". Calgary Sun. Retrieved 19 March 2016.
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