Williams leading by example

Three head coaches, countless position coaches and three very tough years. That is what most of the seniors on Tennessee’s football team experienced leading up to their final season on The Hill.

But all that is just a drop in the bucket compared to Gerald Williams’ path to Big Orange Country.

After being recruited by and signing with Phillip Fulmer in 2005, Williams ran into NCAA eligibility issues and took the next year off to prepare for admissions testing. After failing to meet the admissions requirements at UT, Williams then spent a year at Fork Union (Va.) Military Academy, a preparatory school where he again sought to become eligible.

In 2007, the Lauderdale Lakes, Fla., native moved to City College of San Francisco, a junior college that offered him one last attempt to meet the required academic standards. After leading his team to a national title, Williams graduated from CCSF and finally made it to Tennessee three years after he initially signed.

“I wouldn’t change anything that happened to me,” Williams said. “There were a lot of obstacles in my path to Tennessee, but going through that helped me meet a lot of really great people and make some good friends.

“Going through those experiences really helped me see that football is not a lifetime activity. It’s not something everyone has the opportunity to do. So I have to appreciate doing it and give my all while I have the chance.”

Vols fans are all too familiar with the turmoil on Rocky Top that occurred between Williams’ arrival in 2008 and this, his senior season. But nothing can keep him down now.

“I tell all the young guys that whatever comes your way, take it and keep your head up and work hard,” Williams said. “If you don’t like your situation, you have to change it for yourself by working harder to get where you want to be.”

It’s his experience and positive attitude that makes Williams one of the Vols’ most rock steady and vocal leaders. But he knows his actions speak volumes to younger players too.

“I try to be a vocal leader, but I also have to lead by example,” Williams said. “You can’t be vocal without also being an example through your behavior.

“I think I just have to let everybody see my determination. When the other guys on the field see how determined I am to be successful, I hope they’ll want to pick it up too—that they will want to give it all for this program. Whether it’s your first year or your last year, just put it all on the line each and every play.”

Most important to Williams, though, isn’t his example, but his relationship to his teammates. With all they’ve been through together, nothing is more important than preserving the bond they share.

“We have to be open and be there for one another,” Williams said. “We have been through coaching changes, position coach changes—so we have to be here for one another. We always have to be ready to be there for a teammate.

“I want us to grow each and every week. As long as we keep stepping forward and get better every week, the team will grow stronger and the rest will sort out on its own. Every team that I have been on here, the guys on the team have always stuck together. We are more of a family than a team.”

Williams is on track to graduate in December, and as he crosses that stage, his determination will be evident and his example will be for all of us.