Teddy Williams (American football)

Teddy Williams (born July 3, 1988) is an American football cornerback for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL). He did not play college football, but was a sprinter at the University of Texas at San Antonio.

Early years

Williams practiced football and track and field at John Tyler High School. In football, he was a three-time All-district selection at wide receiver and received second-team All-state honors as a junior. In his final year he suffered a serious ankle injury, that impacted his playing time and his scholarship offers.^[1] He received a track and field scholarship for the University of Texas at San Antonio, where as a sprinter he was a four-time All-American, won nine Southland Conference championships and received four Southland Conference athlete of the year awards.

Track and field

Williams is also a sprinter. While at the University of Texas at San Antonio in 2009, he recorded a time of 9.90 seconds in the 100 meters at the UTEP Invitational, that ranked as the best under all conditions in school history and fastest time in the world that season.^[2]

He already held the school record with his previous personal-best of 10.16 seconds, that won the 2008 Southland Conference title. He also helped the 4x100m relay team run a season-best time of 39.59 seconds in 2010.

Personal bests

Professional career

Dallas Cowboys

In 2010 the Dallas Cowboys were having their training camp in San Antonio. Williams, who had just finished his senior season and still had one more year of eligibility in a different sport, got a tryout in part because he was attending a local school and because of the relationship between University of Texas at San Antonio's assistant Eric Roark and the Cowboys’ director of scouting, Tom Ciskowski.^[3] Although he did not play football in college, the Cowboys were intrigued by his size/speed ratio and signed him as an undrafted free agent on July 31, 2010.

At first the Cowboys weren't sure where to play him, trying him at cornerback before settling on wide receiver. He was with the team for the entire preseason, and was waived on September 4, 2010, before being placed on their practice squad. He was called up to the active roster on December 21, 2010. In the 2011 training camp, he was hindered by a hamstring injury he suffered after a collision with assistant Jimmy Robinson,^[4] and was released on September 3. He spent the 2011 season on the Cowboys practice squad. He was re-signed to a future's contract on January 2, 2012.^[5] In training camp, he was moved from wide receiver to cornerback, but couldn't make the team and was released from his third Cowboys camp on Aug. 31, 2012.

Sacramento Mountain Lions

In 2012, he was signed by the Sacramento Mountain Lions of the United Football League. He spent an abbreviated six-game season working as a kick returner and reserve cornerback.

Indianapolis Colts

He worked out for the Indianapolis Colts on October 24, 2012 and was signed to the club's practice squad five days later. He was promoted to the active roster on November 16. He was waived-injured on August 25, 2013.

Arizona Cardinals

Williams signed with the Arizona Cardinals on October, 21, 2013. The Cardinals switched Williams from cornerback to wide receiver.^[6] On October 27, during a 27-13 victory over the Atlanta Falcons, Williams caught a 51-yard pass from Quarterback Carson Palmer. The reception was the first of his career. On November 17, during a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, he tore his Achilles and was placed on the injured reserve list.^[7]

It was later announced that the Cardinals would be moving Williams back to the cornerback position for the 2014 season.^[8] He was released on August 30, 2014, and was later signed to the practice squad on September 9.^[9]

Chicago Bears

On October 1, 2014, he was signed by the Chicago Bears from the Cardinals practice squad. He was released on November 10, after appearing in 5 games and registering 2 special teams tackles.^[10]

Jacksonville Jaguars

Williams was claimed off waivers by the Jacksonville Jaguars on November 11, 2014.^[11] He played in two games and was declared inactive for four. He was not re-signed after the season

Carolina Panthers

On March 12, 2015, Williams signed a two-year, $2.3 million, contract with the Carolina Panthers.^[12] He played in his first full season and found a place on the special teams units. He also played some snaps at cornerback, registering 13 defensive tackles, 1 pass defensed and one forced fumble.

On October 28, 2016, Williams was placed on injured reserve with a knee injury.^[13]

Personal life

Williams is a member of the Alpha Delta Lambda chapter of Omega Psi Phi fraternity.

References

External links

• Carolina Panthers bio
• UTSA Roadrunners track bio
• UTSA's Williams takes last shot at his 'icing on the cake'
• Teddy Williams profile at IAAF