Charlie Williams (American football)

Charlie Williams
No. 42, 25
Position: Safety / Cornerback
Personal information
Date of birth: (1972-02-02) February 2, 1972
Place of birth: Detroit, Michigan
Height: 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight: 204 lb (93 kg)
Career information
High school: Henry Ford (MI)
College: Bowling Green
NFL Draft: 1995 / Round: 3 / Pick: 92
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Games played–started: 81–11
Interceptions: 1
Sacks: 2
Player stats at NFL.com
Player stats at PFR

Charlie U. Williams (born February 2, 1972, in Detroit, Michigan) is a former professional American football player who played cornerback and safety for six seasons for the Dallas Cowboys. He played college football for Bowling Green State University.

Early years

Williams attended Henry Ford High School, where he played wide receiver and cornerback. In a game he had as a junior, he registered eight receptions, scored three touchdowns and intercepted two passes. In his last two years he received all-city and all-public school league honors.

He accepted a scholarship to Bowling Green State University, where he became one of the best special teams players in school history. As a sophomore he had 3 blocked kicks. As a junior, he was used as a nickelback and reserve wide receiver, he also blocked 4 kicks. In his last year, he was named the starter at safety and even though he missed the last four games with a broken arm, he registered 31 tackles, two defensed passes and an interception. He also contributed with five receptions for 62 yards and a blocked kick.

Professional career

The Dallas Cowboys coveted his special teams skills and his athletic ability, so they selected him in the third round (95th overall) of the 1995 NFL Draft.[1] As a rookie, he finished fourth on the team with 18 special teams tackles and was a part of the Super Bowl XXX championship team over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

In 1996, he tore knee ligaments in a mini-camp and was placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list. Upon his return he was limited to 7 games and contributed in the nickel defense.[2]

In 1997, he played on the nickel defense and established himself as one of the best special teams players in the NFL, by leading the Cowboys with 26 tackles and earning Pro Bowl consideration. Williams was also recognized as the best cover special teams player in the league, by Paul Zimmerman of Sports Illustrated.[3]

In 1998, he was re-signed by the Cowboys to a two-year contract. He competed for the starting free safety position that was left open after Brock Marion left as a free agent, but it was eventually assigned to George Teague. During the year he made his first NFL career starts at cornerback (3), to replace the injured Kevin Smith and Deion Sanders.[4] In 1999, he had 8 starts at cornerback. He was not re-signed after the end of the 2000 season.

References

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