When a franchise has six Super Bowl Titles like the Pittsburgh Steelers, it is hard not to have several memories when it comes to the organization and the big game. In recent memory, there are huge moments like James Harrison's pick-6 and Ben Roethlisberger's heroic drive and throw to Santonio Holmes, which both came in Super Bowl XLIII against the Arizona Cardinals. Willie Parker's record-setting 75-yard touchdown run in Super Bowl XL was a gigantic momentum-shifting play. One that people sometimes forget about, however, is the trick play that saw Antwaan Randle El find Hines Ward in the end zone for a 43-yard score against the Seattle Seahawks.
Former Steelers wide receiver, Antwaan Randle El tries to get the crowd pumped up during Super Bowl XLV against the Green Bay Packers at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas, TX. | Photo Credit: Ronald Martinez / Getty Images
Ward is now the Head Coach of the XFL's San Antonio Bahamas and unfortunately had a 3-7 record in his first season as the team's leader. Randle El is also involved with coaching and is currently the wide receivers coach for the emerging Detroit Lions. The Super Bowl Champion has a strong receiving core with Amon-Ra St. Brown, Marvin Jones Jr. and Jameson Williams.
Williams started his NFL career a little later after a torn ACL in college affected his availability early in 2022. He managed to get into six games, but had only one catch on nine targets. The offense in Detroit could be extremely dangerous if he turns out to be as talented and efficient as many expect him to. Him and St. Brown alone could be a lethal combination.
Not so fast, though, as Williams will have his second season put on hold for six games due to a suspension. He was one of the Lions' players involved with gambling. He allegedly was wagering on non-NFL games, but at an NFL-related location. NFL and Detroit fans alike will have to wait a little bit longer to see Williams 100% healthy on a professional football field.
Detroit Lions wide receiver, Jameson Williams during warmups prior to a 2022 regular season game in his rookie season. | Photo Credit: Lon Horwedel / USA Today Sports
Steelers' Randle El Mentoring Receiver With Extreme Potential
Randle El recently caught up with Nolan Bianchi of The Detroit News and spoke a little bit about Williams. The former Steelers' pass catcher is working closely with him and it seems as if he is acting as a significant mentor.
"I don’t have to motivate him much when it comes to ball. He loves the game and wants to be better and works at it. But the encouragement part, with all that’s going on. It’s just, ‘Hey, keep doing what you’re doing; stay at it, in terms of working hard. This is just another stumbling block that, again, you’ll come out stronger on the other side.’"
Randle El had 370 catches and 15 touchdowns, but also threw for six regular season touchdowns in his career with the Steelers and then-Washington Redskins. He was never an All-Pro and didn't make a single Pro Bowl, but played around many current and future Hall of Fame players. It's safe to say he will be a great mentor for Williams going forward. He continued and told Bianchi about how he wants to keep encouraging the wide receiver.
"Those types of things, just encouraging him from that standpoint. He gets it. He understands it. And it will be [good] for him once we do get back and get going, as it relates into the season and the preseason.”"
Williams will be entering his second NFL season and attempting to show Lions' fans that he can return to the form he had in 2021 at the University of Alabama when he had 1,575 yards receiving and 15 touchdowns.
Detroit Lions' wide receiver, Jameson Williams (#9) runs a drill during a practice. | Photo Credit: Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK
Randle El seemed extremely confident that he knows what Williams needs in order to succeed early in his career. It's all about getting as much repetition as you can. An injury and now suspension have halted Williams' progression just a bit.
"It’s just a matter of him being on the field over and over again,” Randle El said. “Man, that’s part of having that offseason, and that’s why you always want a young guy to have the offseason to just be able to get ready for the season."
The former Steelers' wideout is in a great situation in Detroit. They are a team on the rise with a bunch of star power on the field and also have a solid coaching staff. Randle El is the perfect guy to help get Williams back on track in the beginning of his career.
Did you know that Randle El coaches in Detroit? What do you think about him mentoring Williams? Let us know in the comments below!
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