When it comes to the National Football League, most athletes say the Southeastern Conference in college football is the closest thing to the pros.
Jesse Williams, a University of Alabama alumnus, came to the Crimson Tide in 2011 as a junior college transfer. As an Australian native, he helped the Tide capture back-to-back BCS National Championships in 2011 and 2012 as a defensive tackle. He totaled 61 tackles, 6.5 stops for loss, 1.5 sacks, seven quarterback hurries, three pass breakups, and a blocked field goal in two years.
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Williams got selected in the fifth round of the 2013 NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks.
He played three seasons (2013-15), helping the Seahawks earn a Super Bowl title in 2013.
Williams was diagnosed with kidney cancer in May 2015, but he came out of it successfully. He was recently on a podcast via AL Recruiting, hilariously discussing the differences between team meetings at Alabama and the NFL for the Seahawks.
Pete Carroll vs Nick Saban Meetings!
Love this perspective from my Podcast with Jesse Williams @ThaMonstar pic.twitter.com/MBYOzIQuGY
— AL Recruiting (@AL_Recruiting) June 27, 2023
“I was not prepared for what Pete Carroll was like, even going to team meetings,” Williams said.
“They would have a basketball hoop up there. They got music there. Everyone is talking loud. Everyone is moving around, and it was just me sitting there stationary in my chair, not moving one bit. I thought they were trying to trick me. I was like ‘I am not falling for this. This can’t be how it is. You go to a Bama meeting, you cough too loud, people are turning around, and like ‘What is this guy’s deal?’ Especially if Coach is in there, I tell people he changes the atmosphere in the room, especially in those team meetings. He comes in there and just, damn it’s quiet.”
Coach Saban sets the thermometer in those team meetings for the Tide. He’s worked the room since 2007 to the tune of six national championships. Williams was there for a couple of them, so it is good to know he remembers the moments.
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