By Jacob Jensen
SteelerNation.com
During the 2017 NFL season, I attended the Week 17 game at Heinz Field against the Cleveland Browns. The Pittsburgh Steelers ended up winning the game 28-24, but the best thing that happened during the game happened on the Steelers sideline. After the defense stopped the Browns as they were trying to come back from a deficit, the offense was on the field running the clock down. As time was running out, I looked at the Steelers sideline and I see Vince Williams raising and pointing to his helmet, which had the number 50 on it. I couldn’t help but tear up and cheer with the rest of the Steeler fans. It was a short moment, but a moment that will always stick with me. This is just one of the many examples of Vince Williams being an amazing teammate and human being.
Nov 24, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Vince Williams (98) against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Steelers won 28-7. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Vince Williams was drafted in the 6th round (206th overall) in the 2013 NFL Draft. In his rookie season, Williams would play in 15 games, starting 11. He would end his rookie year with 53 combined tackles, and 40 solo tackles. With the Steelers defense being healthier in 2014, Williams only started 3 games, but played in all 16. He ended the 2014 season with 43 combined tackles and 28 solo tackles. In 2015 Williams started no games but played in 16 games and even recorded his first sack against the Bengals. He would then sign a three-year extension during the off-season. In 2016, Williams started four games and ended the season with 47 combined tackles and two sacks. 2017 was a breakout season for Williams, as he started all 16 games. He finished the season with 89 tackles and 8 sacks! An amazing amount for an inside linebacker. In 2018 he had 76 tackles and 4.5 sacks.
I included all of those stats because I think they show how resilient this guy is. Not only has he become a starter after being drafted in the 6th round, but he has stuck with it through many years of starting and then not starting when someone became healthy. He has earned the starting job and there’s not many guys in the league that deserve their job as much as Vince does.
Along with being an amazing football player, Vince has embodied what it means to be a great guy and to be a Pittsburgh Steeler. Although his twitter has died down, he is a fantastic guy to follow. He is extremely funny and doesn’t filter himself that often. I also believe that Vince amplified the Bengals-Steelers rivalry (although the rivalry has died down due to the talent becoming more one sided). He stood up for his players and wasn’t afraid to speak his mind. Overall, he just seems like a pretty awesome dude.
Via Matt Sunday DK Pittsburgh Sports
I just wanted to use my platform as a writer for SteelerNation.com to thank Vince Williams for being himself. I always get a good laugh whenever they show his picture during the game and he’s got that goofy smile on. Pittsburgh is still a blue-collar town and Vince Williams embodies the meaning of blue-collar. In the NFL, you don’t win Super Bowls by being the most talented. You win them with guys like Vince. Guys that go out there and fight for their team and their brothers. Guys that give it their all everyday and earn their stripes. So thank you Vince for being a great football player and an even better person. Thank you for being a Steeler.
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