Oliver Williams
Personal information
Born: (1960-10-17) October 17, 1960 (age 63)
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:194 lb (88 kg)
Career information
High school:Junípero Serra
(Gardena, California)
College:Illinois
Position:Wide receiver
NFL draft:1983 / Round: 12 / Pick: 313
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Receptions:20
Receiving yards:340
Receiving touchdowns:2
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Oliver Williams (born October 17, 1960) is a former American football wide receiver who played in the National Football League (NFL).

College career

Williams began his collegiate career at Los Angeles Harbor College, where he played for two years before transferring to the University of Illinois. He became a starter going into his first season with the Illini and was named second-team All-Big Ten Conference after catching 38 passes for 760 yards and six touchdowns.[1] As a senior he had 35 receptions for 523 yards and six touchdowns.[2] After his senior season Williams played in the Shrine Bowl.[3]

Professional career

Williams was selected by the Chicago Bears in the 12th round of the 1983 NFL Draft and spent his rookie season on injured reserve.[4][5] He was released by the Bears at the end of the season and was signed by Chicago Blitz of the United States Football League, who released him a few months later. Williams was then signed by the St. Louis Cardinals, but was cut during training camp.[6][7] He was signed by the San Antonio Gunslingers of the USFL in 1985 and was later signed by the Indianapolis Colts. Williams began the season on injured reserve and played in the final eight games of the season, catching nine passes for 175 yards and one touchdown. He played in three games for the Colts in 1986.[8] Williams was signed by the Houston Oilers in October 1987 as a replacement player during the 1987 NFL players strike. He had 11 receptions for 165 yards and one touchdown in three games and was released when the strike ended.[9]

Personal life

Williams is the older brother of NFL receiver David Williams.[10]

References

  1. ^ "Fighting Illini Football History" (PDF). Retrieved June 29, 2020.
  2. ^ "Catchy name, but this Illini receiver's making his own breaks". Chicago Tribune. August 27, 1989. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
  3. ^ "East Edges West, 26-25, On Passing of Eason". The New York Times. January 16, 1983. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
  4. ^ Freedman, Lew (2017). "No. 93". Bears by the Numbers: A Complete Team History of the Chicago Bears by Uniform Number. Simon and Schuster. ISBN 9781683581048.
  5. ^ "The Chicago Bears placed wide receivers Dan Plater and..." United Press International. August 23, 1983. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
  6. ^ "The St. Louis Cardinals of the NFL Tuesday signed..." July 18, 1984. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
  7. ^ "Transactions". The New York Times. August 30, 1984. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
  8. ^ "Oliver Williams Stats". JustSportsStats.com. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
  9. ^ "NFL Strike Rosters". United Press International. October 1, 1987. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
  10. ^ "College Football '85 : David Williams Went a Long Way (Illinois) and has Come a Long Way". Los Angeles Times. September 4, 1985. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
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