Al Williams (gridiron football)

Al Williams

No. 84
Position:	Wide receiver
Personal information
Born:	(1961-10-05) October 5, 1961 (age 63) Vidalia, Georgia
Height:	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight:	180 lb (82 kg)
Career information
High school:	Long Beach Polytechnic (Long Beach, California)
College:	Nevada-Reno
Supplemental draft:	1984 / round: 1 / Pick: 20
Career history
Oklahoma/Arizona Outlaws (1984–1985) Detroit Lions (1984-1986)* San Diego Chargers (1987) New Orleans Saints (1987)* Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1988)* Hamilton Tiger-Cats (1989)
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career NFL statistics
Receptions: 12 Receiving yards: 247 Receiving touchdowns: 1 Stats at Pro Football Reference
Career CFL statistics
Receptions: 9 Receiving yards: 144 Receiving touchdowns: 0

Alphonso "Al" Williams (born October 5, 1961) is a former American football wide receiver who played college football for the Nevada Wolf Pack, then played at a professional level in the USFL, NFL, and CFL.

Professional career

Williams was selected by the New Jersey Generals in the 18th round (364th overall) of the 1984 USFL Draft and the Detroit Lions in the first round (20th overall) of the 1984 NFL Supplemental Draft.^[1]

He ended up playing for the Oklahoma/Arizona Outlaws,^[2] while the Detroit Lions kept him on the practice squad. After the USFL folded and the Detroit Lions released him in 1986, Williams became a free agent. In 1987, Williams was picked up by the San Diego Chargers and New Orleans Saints during preseason,^[3] then played in three games for the San Diego Chargers during the NFLPA strike.^[4] He was traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for a conditional draft pick,^[5] then last played in the CFL for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

Personal life

Williams had settled in Arizona. He revealed in a podcast with former teammate Billy Ray Smith Jr. that he was coaching and been involved with multiple charities for the local youth.^[4]

References

1. "1984 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
2. "The Arizona Outlaws announced the signing of wide receiver..." UPI. August 22, 1985. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
3. "The New Orleans Saints added a 14th wide receiver..." UPI. August 29, 1987. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
4. "The Billy Ray Smith Podcast with Al Williams - BR's Podcast". iHeart. November 13, 2018. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
5. "A PLAY ETHIC : Billy Ray Smith Doesn't Want to Bite the Team That Feeds Him". Los Angeles Times. August 11, 1988. Retrieved November 5, 2021.