Garry Williams (gridiron football)

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.{{cite web|title=Garry Williams|url=http://www.ukathletics.com/genrel/080305aap.html|website=Kentucky Wildcats|access-date=August 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120303085259/http://www.ukathletics.com/genrel/080305aap.html|archive-date=March 3, 2012|url-status=dead}}

In early 2004, Williams committed to play football at the University of Kentucky, but he did not join the team that season.{{cite news|title=Division I football signees|work=Cincinnati Post|date=February 5, 2004|page=C4.0}} He later recommitted to Kentucky in 2005 and enrolled that year.{{cite news|title=SEC SIGNEES Series: NATIONAL SIGNING DAY|work=St.Petersburg Times|date=February 3, 2005|page=6C}} 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. In early 2007, Williams was indefinitely suspended from the Wildcats for academic reasons,{{cite news|title=Friday's sports roundup|work=Cincinnati Post|date=March 9, 2007|page=C2.0}} but his suspension was later lifted prior to the start of the season.{{cite news|title=Patchwork offensive line protects UK's Woodson|work=The Tuscaloosa News|date=October 3, 2007}}

In 2007, Williams started in all 13 games and was named a second-team All-SEC player.{{cite news|title=COLLEGE FOOTBALL: 2007 ALL-SEC TEAM|work=Savannah Morning News|date=December 5, 2007|page=2B}} The Wildcats offense also broke the team record for most points scored in a season with 475 points in Williams' junior year. Williams was named the SEC's offensive lineman of the week for his play against the Florida Atlantic Owls on September 29. As a senior, Williams was again named to the All-SEC second-team after starting in 11 games.{{cite news|last1=Dirocco|first1=Michael|title=Four Gators on SEC First Team Tebow Chosen as the Offensive Player of the Year by the AP|work=Florida Times Union|date=December 9, 2008|page=C.3}} 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.

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.{{cite news|last1=Reed|first1=Steve|title=Panthers make deep cuts, one surprise|work=Times – News|publisher=Halifax Media Group|date=September 7, 2009|page=11}} 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. He started for the first time against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 7, and remained a starter for the rest of the season.{{cite news|title=Five things to watch today when the 49ers meet the Panthers|work=Times – News|publisher=Halifax Media Group|date=October 24, 2010|page=19}} In Carolina's final preseason game of 2011, Williams suffered a broken ankle,{{cite news|last1=Strickland|first1=Bryan|title=Panthers sign pair of offensive linemen|url=http://www.panthers.com/news/article-2/Panthers-sign-pair-of-offensive-linemen/76535959-02f0-4c20-bab9-3d9d3193f1ba|access-date=August 2, 2015|work=Carolina Panthers|date=September 5, 2011}} 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.{{cite news|title=Ex-Cat Johnson injures hamstring; Trevathan impressing in Bronco camp|url=http://www.kentucky.com/sports/college/kentucky-sports/uk-football/article44437128.html|access-date=August 2, 2015|work=Lexington Herald-Leader|date=August 3, 2013}}

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.{{cite news|last1=Henson|first1=Max|title=Carolina charges past San Diego, 31–7|url=http://www.panthers.com/news/article-2/Carolina-charges-past-San-Diego-31-7/05d6ba0a-8c0c-491f-acf0-1b453ccebf69|access-date=August 2, 2015|work=Carolina Panthers|date=December 16, 2012|archive-date=September 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924063941/http://www.panthers.com/news/article-2/Carolina-charges-past-San-Diego-31-7/05d6ba0a-8c0c-491f-acf0-1b453ccebf69|url-status=dead}} 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.{{cite news|last1=Mickles|first1=Sheldon|title=Panthers run over defenseless Saints, 44–38|url=http://theadvocate.com/home/4801185-125/panthers-run-over-defenseless-saints|access-date=August 2, 2015|work=The Advocate|date=December 30, 2012|archive-date=March 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160329154334/http://theadvocate.com/home/4801185-125/panthers-run-over-defenseless-saints|url-status=dead}} 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.{{cite news|last1=Strickland|first1=Bryan|title=RB Williams questionable for home opener|url=http://www.panthers.com/news/article-2/RB-Williams-questionable-for-home-opener/300150c0-51ef-4bfc-8e2f-fef5866147f2|access-date=August 2, 2015|work=Carolina Panthers|date=September 12, 2014}} He was later placed on injured reserve with a back injury, ending his season.{{cite news|last1=Strickland|first1=Bryan|title=Panthers-Ravens inactives|url=http://www.panthers.com/news/article-2/Panthers-Ravens-inactives/260209ec-d864-434c-9636-136a99d0cad3|access-date=August 2, 2015|work=Carolina Panthers|date=September 28, 2014|archive-date=September 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924064000/http://www.panthers.com/news/article-2/Panthers-Ravens-inactives/260209ec-d864-434c-9636-136a99d0cad3|url-status=dead}} Williams became a free agent in 2015 and the Panthers did not resign him.

The Calgary Stampeders signed Williams as an international free agent on May 28, 2015.{{cite news|last1=Mingo|first1=Rita|title=Former Carolina Panther Williams hoping to add experience to Stamps offensive line|url=https://calgaryherald.com/sports/football/cfl/calgary-stampeders/former-carolina-panther-williams-hoping-to-add-experience-to-stamps-offensive-line|access-date=August 2, 2015|work=Calgary Herald|date=May 28, 2015}} Williams made the Stampeders' active roster following preseason and made his CFL debut on July 18 against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.{{cite web|title=Garry Williams|url=http://www.stampeders.com/roster/show/id/8163|website=Calgary Stampeders|access-date=August 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150910230750/http://www.stampeders.com/roster/show/id/8163|archive-date=September 10, 2015}} 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,{{cite news|last1=Fisher|first1=Scott|title=Calgary Stampeders battle back from huge deficit in win over Als|url=http://www.calgarysun.com/2015/08/01/calgary-stampeders-battle-back-from-huge-deficit-in-win-over-als|access-date=August 2, 2015|work=Calgary Sun|date=August 1, 2015|archive-date=September 10, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150910051626/http://www.calgarysun.com/2015/08/01/calgary-stampeders-battle-back-from-huge-deficit-in-win-over-als|url-status=dead}} he was diagnosed with a hyperextended right elbow.{{cite news|last1=Mitchell|first1=Scott|title=Stamps Notebook – O line survives scare as Garry Williams appears ready to go against Ottawa Redblacks|url=http://www.calgarysun.com/2015/08/03/stamps-notebook----o-line-survives-scare-as-garry-williams-appears-ready-to-go-against-ottawa-redblacks|access-date=August 3, 2015|work=Calgary Sun|date=August 2, 2015|archive-date=September 23, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923224229/http://www.calgarysun.com/2015/08/03/stamps-notebook----o-line-survives-scare-as-garry-williams-appears-ready-to-go-against-ottawa-redblacks|url-status=dead}} He suffered multiple injuries during the rest of the regular season, causing him to sit out several games.{{cite news|last1=Fisher|first1=Scott|title=Offensive lineinjury woes continue for the Calgary Stampeders|url=http://www.calgarysun.com/2015/09/07/offensive-lineinjury-woes-continue-for-the-calgary-stampeders|access-date=March 19, 2016|work=Calgary Sun|date=September 7, 2015|archive-date=March 30, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160330101641/http://www.calgarysun.com/2015/09/07/offensive-lineinjury-woes-continue-for-the-calgary-stampeders|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|last1=Mitchell|first1=Scott|title=Calgary Stampeders notebook -- Garry Williams on road to returning to offensive line|url=http://www.calgarysun.com/2015/10/06/calgary-stampeders-notebook----garry-williams-on-road-to-returning-to-offensive-line|access-date=March 19, 2016|work=Calgary Sun|date=October 6, 2015|archive-date=March 30, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160330091117/http://www.calgarysun.com/2015/10/06/calgary-stampeders-notebook----garry-williams-on-road-to-returning-to-offensive-line|url-status=dead}} He returned in time to play in both playoff games for Calgary.{{cite news|last1=Fisher|first1=Scott|title=Status of Calgary Stampeders' offensive line up in air|url=http://www.calgarysun.com/2015/11/17/status-of-calgary-stampeders-offensive-line-up-in-air|access-date=March 19, 2016|work=Calgary Sun|date=November 17, 2015|archive-date=November 21, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151121221043/http://www.calgarysun.com/2015/11/17/status-of-calgary-stampeders-offensive-line-up-in-air|url-status=dead}}

Williams signed with the Chicago Bears on August 4, 2016.{{cite web | url=http://www.chicagobears.com/news/article-1/Bears-sign-LB-Mason-OL-Williams/069c9187-84d5-4e14-bf26-638c52aa4ce6 | title=Bears sign LB Mason, OL Williams | website=Chicago Bears | date=August 4, 2016 | access-date=August 31, 2016 | author=Mayer, Larry | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160807024140/http://www.chicagobears.com/news/article-1/Bears-sign-LB-Mason-OL-Williams/069c9187-84d5-4e14-bf26-638c52aa4ce6 | archive-date=August 7, 2016 | url-status=dead }} On September 2, he was released by the team.{{Cite news |url=https://bearswire.usatoday.com/2016/09/02/four-more-bears-released-total-now-up-to-seven/ |title=4 more Chicago Bears released, total now up to 7 |last=Perez |first=Bryan |date=September 2, 2016 |work=USA Today |access-date=July 20, 2018 |language=en-US}}

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.

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Category:1986 births

Category:Living people

Category:American football offensive tackles

Category:Canadian football offensive linemen

Category:Kentucky Wildcats football players

Category:Carolina Panthers players

Category:Calgary Stampeders players

Category:Players of American football from Louisville, Kentucky

Category:Players of Canadian football from Louisville, Kentucky

Category:Seneca High School (Louisville, Kentucky) alumni

Category:Chicago Bears players

Category:21st-century African-American sportsmen

Category:20th-century African-American sportsmen