Garry Williams (gridiron football)

Garry Williams (born August 20, 1986) is an American football offensive tackle who is a free agent. He previously played for the Carolina Panthers, 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]

For those of the same name, see Gary Williams (disambiguation).
Garry Williams
Free agent
Position:Offensive tackle
Personal information
Born: (1986-08-20) August 20, 1986
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
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career NFL statistics
Games played:41
Games started:21
Fumble recoveries:1
Player stats at NFL.com

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 Wildcats 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. Williams played in the 2014 season opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but left practice later that week with coaches citing a sore hip.[15] He was later placed on injured reserve with a back injury, ending his season.[16] Williams became a free agent in 2015 and the Panthers did not resign him.[17]

Calgary Stampeders

The Calgary Stampeders signed Williams as an international free agent on May 28, 2015.[17] Williams made the Stampeders' active roster following preseason and made his CFL debut on July 18 against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.[18] He started three games at left tackle before being forced to leave the August 1 game against the Montreal Alouettes with an arm injury. After Williams reportedly had X-rays of his elbow taken,[19] he was diagnosed with a hyperextended right elbow.[20] He suffered multiple injuries during the rest of the regular season, causing him to sit out several games.[21][22] He returned in time to play in both playoff games for Calgary.[23]

Chicago Bears

Williams signed with the Chicago Bears on August 4, 2016.[24] On September 2, he was released by the team.[25]

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. "Garry Williams". Carolina Panthers. Archived from the original on December 6, 2016. Retrieved August 1, 2015.
  2. "Garry Williams". Kentucky Wildcats. Archived from the original on March 3, 2012. Retrieved August 2, 2015.
  3. "Division I football signees". Cincinnati Post. February 5, 2004. p. C4.0.
  4. "SEC SIGNEES Series: NATIONAL SIGNING DAY". St.Petersburg Times. February 3, 2005. p. 6C.
  5. "Friday's sports roundup". Cincinnati Post. March 9, 2007. p. C2.0.
  6. "Patchwork offensive line protects UK's Woodson". The Tuscaloosa News. October 3, 2007.
  7. "COLLEGE FOOTBALL: 2007 ALL-SEC TEAM". Savannah Morning News. December 5, 2007. p. 2B.
  8. Dirocco, Michael (December 9, 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 (September 7, 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. October 24, 2010. p. 19.
  11. Strickland, Bryan (September 5, 2011). "Panthers sign pair of offensive linemen". Carolina Panthers. Retrieved August 2, 2015.
  12. "Ex-Cat Johnson injures hamstring; Trevathan impressing in Bronco camp". Lexington Herald-Leader. August 3, 2013. Retrieved August 2, 2015.
  13. Henson, Max (December 16, 2012). "Carolina charges past San Diego, 31–7". Carolina Panthers. Retrieved August 2, 2015.
  14. Mickles, Sheldon (December 30, 2012). "Panthers run over defenseless Saints, 44–38". The Advocate. Retrieved August 2, 2015.
  15. Strickland, Bryan (September 12, 2014). "RB Williams questionable for home opener". Carolina Panthers. Retrieved August 2, 2015.
  16. Strickland, Bryan (September 28, 2014). "Panthers-Ravens inactives". Carolina Panthers. Retrieved August 2, 2015.
  17. Mingo, Rita (May 28, 2015). "Former Carolina Panther Williams hoping to add experience to Stamps offensive line". Calgary Herald. Retrieved August 2, 2015.
  18. "Garry Williams". Calgary Stampeders. Archived from the original on September 10, 2015. Retrieved August 2, 2015.
  19. Fisher, Scott (August 1, 2015). "Calgary Stampeders battle back from huge deficit in win over Als". Calgary Sun. Retrieved August 2, 2015.
  20. Mitchell, Scott (August 2, 2015). "Stamps Notebook – O line survives scare as Garry Williams appears ready to go against Ottawa Redblacks". Calgary Sun. Retrieved August 3, 2015.
  21. Fisher, Scott (September 7, 2015). "Offensive lineinjury woes continue for the Calgary Stampeders". Calgary Sun. Retrieved March 19, 2016.
  22. Mitchell, Scott (October 6, 2015). "Calgary Stampeders notebook -- Garry Williams on road to returning to offensive line". Calgary Sun. Retrieved March 19, 2016.
  23. Fisher, Scott (November 17, 2015). "Status of Calgary Stampeders' offensive line up in air". Calgary Sun. Retrieved March 19, 2016.
  24. Mayer, Larry (August 4, 2016). "Bears sign LB Mason, OL Williams". Chicago Bears. Archived from the original on August 7, 2016. Retrieved August 31, 2016.
  25. Perez, Bryan (September 2, 2016). "4 more Chicago Bears released, total now up to 7". USA Today. Retrieved July 20, 2018.
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