Alabama WR Ryan Williams tells what he learned from struggles vs. Florida State

Alabama football’s superstar wide receiver Ryan Williams did not shy away from the harsh clouds of criticism that came as a result of his lackluster performance against Florida State in the Crimson Tide’s season opener; instead, he embraced it with open arms.

That shower of criticism came from many former Alabama players and voices around college football when the sophomore wideout only managed to reel in five receptions for a pedestrian 30-yard effort before leaving the Florida State game with a concussion. Since that night in Tallahassee, Williams has gained a greater appreciation for the game and has been able to use his struggles to help him grow as a player.

“It is what it is,” Williams said. “Praise and blame is the same. I can honestly say, the first game I could’ve been better. I didn’t finish the game. That was my first time ever not finishing a game in my life. It made me look in the mirror and be like ‘okay, embrace the moment and enjoy every second. And it was almost like a newsflash, you could not be playing football.”

Williams was also able to draw motivation from his family, particularly his mother, who told him to ‘stay down and grind hard’ as he worked through concussion protocols while being sidelined.

Williams has since gotten his swagger back, exploding for five receptions and 165 yards, to go along with two touchdowns in the Tide’s last game against Wisconsin prior to the bye week.