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Austin, Texas – Mike Williams, a former consensus All-America offensive tackle at the University of Texas, made an emotional return to Austin last week as one of 13 new members of the Texas Athletics Hall of Honor. The 46-year-old, who now resides in Virginia Beach, Virginia, with his wife Jamie, stepchildren Dawson and Macy, and daughter Mia, cherished every moment of his homecoming.
Williams was a key figure in the Longhorns' resurgence under head coach Mack Brown, having been part of Brown's inaugural recruiting class. Walking into Royal-Memorial Stadium last Friday, a flood of memories from his college days came rushing back. He recalled being recruited as a defensive lineman, nearly choosing Baylor, and the profound impact of the 2001 death of teammate Cole Pittman. He also remembered the family atmosphere Brown cultivated, even recalling the coach sitting on his living room floor during a home visit. "How could I not go to Texas?" Williams remarked.
During his Hall of Honor induction weekend, which coincided with Texas's victory over UTSA, Williams reconnected with his past. Athletic director Chris Del Conte called him last June to inform him of the honor, and also inquired about his degree. Williams admitted he had not completed his sociology degree with a business minor, but he now plans to finish it online. He joked about his niece and nephew attending Oklahoma and Texas A&M, saying, "I failed somewhere."
Williams's football journey was cut short by health issues. After four injury-plagued seasons with the Buffalo Bills and a brief stint with Washington, blood clots in his calf led to a pulmonary embolism, forcing his retirement. "I wish it could have been longer," he said. "Buffalo was great. I love me some Buffalo." Despite the disappointment, Williams has used his experiences to teach resilience, especially to his 13-year-old daughter Mia, a budding wrestler with Olympic aspirations for 2032.
His medical struggles continued three years ago when he suffered a stroke at age 43. He woke up sweating, with double vision and weakness on his right side. His wife insisted he go to the emergency room, where the stroke was confirmed. "That's not what you want to hear," Williams said. He endured weeks of physical therapy, had difficulty speaking, and relied on a cane for nearly three years. Though his right side strength hasn't fully returned and his knee occasionally gives out, he is recovering and counts his blessings.
Williams also reflected on his early days at Texas, revealing he almost quit the team during his freshman year. Assistant coach Hardee McCrary intervened, sitting with him and talking him through the moment. "The next morning, I got up and I was just fine, and then the rest is history," Williams said. He went on to start 28 games for the Longhorns, earn consensus All-American honors as a senior, and become the fourth overall pick in the 2002 NFL draft.
He still holds dear the memory of Pittman, whose death deeply affected the team. Williams remembered the entire team gathering at midfield under gray skies to sing "The Eyes of Texas." Eight months later, Texas opened the season against North Carolina and honored Pittman with a "CP" decal on their helmets. The game ended with a 44-14 victory, a score that matched Pittman's jersey number. "That was meant to be," Williams said. "It was a perfect sendoff for Cole."
Now, Williams keeps in touch with former teammates like Ahmad Brooks, Lee Jackson, and Derrick Dockery, and watches Texas games regularly, though he finds it "very stressful." During his visit, as he looked down at the field from the Founders suite, he felt a surge of nostalgia and even a bit of bravado. "I remembered the feeling and felt I could get out there and play right now," he said. "I think I could give em a good five plays. That's just the ballplayer in you. It never goes away."
Originally reported by yahoo.