Doug Williams is a name that evokes respect and admiration among football fans. He was the first African American quarterback to play in the Super Bowl, and he made history when Williams led the Washington Redskins to victory over the Denver Broncos. But there’s more to his story than just playing for the Washington Redskins and that one momentous event. Let’s take a look at his career, his view on the black golfer, and what he’s doing now.
NFL DRAFT
Doug Williams was born in Zachary, Louisiana in 1953. He began playing football for Morehouse College than in the 1978 NFL draft he became part of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers team. Joe Gibbs, the offensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, was the only NFL coach to visit Williams for a workout and scouting session.
In the 1978 NFL Draft, he was chosen with the 17th overall pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was the only starting African American quarterback in the league that year and dealt with racism from Tampa Bay Buccaneers coaching staff, football players, and fans everywhere he went.
Football Career
After four seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he became the starting quarterback of the Oklahoma Outlaws as part of the USFL league. When the USFL was shut down in 1986 he signed with the Washington Redskins. He became the team's starting quarterback for the 1987 season and led them to a Super Bowl victory.
That year, he made history as the first African American quarterback in a Super Bowl game. He set several Super Bowl passing records while throwing four touchdown passes in the super bowl against the Denver Broncos and was named MVP. He was inducted into the college football hall of fame but not the NFL hall of fame.
Coaching Career
Doug Williams retired as a football player from professional football in 1989, Williams founded The Doug Williams Foundation. In 1994 he went on to the Naval Academy to become the running backs coach. He then went across the sea to become the offensive coordinator for the Scottish Claymores in 1995.
After that season he came back to the NFL as a scout for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Williams became the head football coach for Grambling in 1998. His coaching career at the collegiate level started in 1997 at Morehouse College. In 2014, he joined the Washington Redskins organization as Senior Vice President of Player Personnel Executive.
After Coaching Career
Williams is currently retired from coaching but is the senior advisor to the team president and running The Doug Williams Foundation which provides scholarships for college students from disadvantaged backgrounds and supports youth sports programs across Louisiana. He lives near Atlanta with his wife and eight children.
Conclusion
Doug Williams, a retired NFL Player is more than just a legendary African American quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers or the Redskins. He's also an advocate for African American golfers everywhere who have faced discrimination.
His work through The Doug Williams Foundation helps ensure that all kids have equal access to educational opportunities regardless of race or economic status so they can pursue their dreams as Doug did himself when he first started out as a college football player at Morehouse College all those years ago!
We owe him an incredible debt of gratitude for all that he has done not only for football but also for helping create more opportunities for everyone. Thank you, Doug Williams, for having the courage to keep fighting and breaking down racial barriers.
Your Sports Guru,
Ray
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