Jamal Williams

Jamal Williams

At a game in Denver in September, 2010.
No. --     Free Agent
Nose tackle
Personal information
Date of birth: April 28, 1976 (1976-04-28)
Place of birth: Washington, D.C.
Height: 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	Weight: 348 lb (158 kg)
Career information
College: Oklahoma State
Supplemental Draft: 1998 / Round: 2
Debuted in 1998 for the San Diego Chargers
Career history
San Diego Chargers (1998–2009) Denver Broncos (2010)
Roster status: Active
Career highlights and awards
3× Pro Bowl selection (2005, 2006, 2007) 3× All-Pro selection (2004, 2005, 2006) San Diego Chargers 50th Anniversary Team
Career NFL statistics as of 2009
Tackles	394
Solo Tackles	312
Sacks	13
Forced Fumbles	4
Interceptions	1
Pass Deflections	21
Stats at NFL.com

Jamal Williams (born April 28, 1976) is an American football nose tackle who is currently a free agent of the National Football League. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the second round of the 1998 Supplemental Draft. He played college football at Oklahoma State.

With his massive 6′3″, 350-pound frame, Williams has been described as a "textbook block-of-granite noseman" by SI.com′s Peter King.

Early years

Williams is the second oldest of seven boys, was raised in Washington, D.C. by his mother, Harriet, a single parent. A two-time All-Met selection at Archbishop Carroll High School in Washington, Williams played linebacker at 6′3″, 255 pounds. He was named a Super Prep All-American in 1994.

Williams played at Oklahoma State University in 1995. In 1996, he transferred to Kemper Military School and Junior College in Boonville, Missouri, where he was a standout in the junior college ranks. In 1997, Williams returned to Oklahoma State and was named 1st Team All-Big 12. He finished his career with 117 tackles and 9.5 sacks. He majored in sociology at OSU.

Professional career

San Diego Chargers

Jamal Williams doing pregame warmups as an San Diego Charger in a 2008 game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Williams was drafted in the second-round of the 1998 NFL Supplemental Draft by the San Diego Chargers. The highlight of his rookie season occurred on December 13, when he scored a touchdown on a 14-yard interception return against the Seattle Seahawks. He finished the season with 6 tackles (5 solo), 1 pass deflection, and 1 interception in 9 games. In 1999, he recorded 26 tackles (22 solo), 1 sack, and 2 pass deflections in 16 games (2 starts). In 2000, Williams finished with 52 tackles (45 solo), 1 sack, and 1 forced fumble in 16 starts. He suffered a season ending injury in the 3rd game of the 2001 season and finished with just 2 solo tackles. However, he worked his way back into the starting line-up in 2002, earning the Ed Block Courage Award for his efforts. Williams recorded 23 tackles (19 solo), 2.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and 2 pass deflections in 12 games during the 2002 season. During the 2003 season, Williams posted totals of 33 tackles (24 solo), 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, and 1 pass deflection in 15 games.

The Chargers switched to a 3-4 defensive scheme in 2004 and fielded Williams at nose tackle, arguably the most important position in the 3-4 defense. Williams recorded 32 tackles (25 solo), 4 sacks, and 4 pass deflections in 15 games. He became widely recognized as one of the top 3-4 nose tackles in the NFL and was named an AP 2nd Team All-Pro. In the 2005 season, Williams recorded 53 tackles (40 solo) and 4 pass deflections in 16 games and was named a Pro Bowl starter and was named 1st Team All-Pro by the Associated Press and The Sporting News. He finished the 2006 season with 69 tackles (49 solo), 2 sacks, and 2 pass deflections in 16 games and was again named a Pro Bowl starter, as well as 1st Team All-Pro by the AP, The Sporting News, and the Football Writers Association of America. During the 2007 season, Williams recorded 39 tackles (32 solo), 1 forced fumble, and 2 pass deflections in 13 games and was named a Pro Bowl reserve following the season. Williams finished 2008 with 56 tackles (46 solo), 1.5 sacks, and 3 pass deflections in 16 games. In 2009, Williams suffered a season-ending triceps injury in the first game and finished with just 3 solo tackles.

On March 4, 2010, Williams was released by the Chargers.

Denver Broncos

On March 9, 2010, Williams signed a 3 year, $16 million contract with the Broncos with $7 million guaranteed and an additional $6 million available through incentives.

On March 3, 2011, the Broncos released Williams.

Personal life

In 1999, Williams married Sureldie Rycha Davis, an American singer, songwriter, producer and entrepreneur. The couple has 2 daughters: Joy Danielle and Jasmine. The couple raise their children between Dallas, Texas and San Diego, California.