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Damien Williams
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Damien Williams (born April 3, 1992) is an American former professional football running back. He played college football for the Oklahoma Sooners and was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2014. Williams was also a member of the Kansas City Chiefs, Chicago Bears, Atlanta Falcons, Las Vegas Raiders, and Arizona Cardinals. He won Super Bowl LIV with the Chiefs by scoring the game-clinching touchdown on a 38-yard run with less than two minutes left in the game.
Key Information
_2019.JPG)
Early life
[edit]Williams was born in San Diego, California.[1] He played varsity football at El Cajon Valley High School as a freshman.[2] Over the next three years, Williams played high school football at Mira Mesa Senior High School.[3][4]
College career
[edit]Williams was originally expected to play college football at Arizona State but did not meet the ACT test score requirement. Therefore, he played at Arizona Western College before transferring to the University of Oklahoma in 2012.[5]
In November 2013, Williams was dismissed from Oklahoma after violating team rules.[6] In two seasons with the Sooners, he rushed for 1,499 yards with 18 touchdowns, including a 95-yard touchdown run against Texas in 2012.[7][8]
College statistics
[edit]| Season | Team | Pos | GP | Rushing | Receiving | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Att | Yds | Avg | TD | Rec | Yds | Avg | TD | ||||
| 2012 | Oklahoma | RB | 13 | 176 | 946 | 5.4 | 11 | 34 | 320 | 9.4 | 1 |
| 2013 | Oklahoma | RB | 9 | 114 | 553 | 4.9 | 7 | 9 | 90 | 10.0 | 0 |
| Career | 22 | 290 | 1,499 | 5.2 | 18 | 43 | 410 | 9.5 | 1 | ||
Professional career
[edit]| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | Bench press | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 ft 11+1⁄4 in (1.81 m) |
222 lb (101 kg) |
30+5⁄8 in (0.78 m) |
9+1⁄8 in (0.23 m) |
4.45 s | 1.56 s | 2.61 s | 4.25 s | 7.37 s | 35.5 in (0.90 m) |
10 ft 1 in (3.07 m) |
16 reps | |
| All values from NFL Combine[9][10] | ||||||||||||
Miami Dolphins
[edit]2014 season
[edit].JPG)
On May 11, 2014, Williams signed with the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent.[11]
Williams made his NFL debut in the season-opening 33–20 victory over the New England Patriots, returning one kick for 19 yards.[12] In the next game against the Buffalo Bills, Williams had five carries for 19 yards during the 29–10 road loss.[13] During Week 16 against the Minnesota Vikings, he had six receptions for 50 yards and his first NFL touchdown in the narrow 37–35 victory.[14]
Williams fished his rookie year with 36 carries for 122 yards and 21 receptions for 187 yards and a touchdown in 16 games and no starts.[15]
2015 season
[edit]During a Week 2 23–20 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, Williams had three receptions for 15 yards and a touchdown.[16] He finished his second professional season with 16 carries for 59 yards and 21 receptions for 142 yards and a touchdown in 16 games and no starts.[17]
2016 season
[edit]During a Week 3 30–24 overtime victory over the Cleveland Browns, Williams recorded three receptions for 10 yards and his first touchdown of the season to go along with a 15-yard carry.[18] Three weeks later against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Williams had six carries for 12 yards and his first career rushing touchdown in the 30–15 victory.[19] In the next game against the Bills, Williams recorded four carries for 16 yards and a touchdown during the 28–25 victory.[20] During Week 10 against the San Diego Chargers, he rushed twice for two yards and a touchdown and caught an 18-yard touchdown in the 31–24 road victory.[21]
Williams finished the 2016 season with 35 carries for 115 yards and three touchdowns to go along with 23 receptions for 249 yards and three touchdowns in 15 games and no stats.[22] The Dolphins finished second in the AFC East with a 10–6 record and made the playoffs as the #6-seed.[23] During the Wild Card Round against the Steelers, Williams had three carries for 14 yards and a four-yard touchdown reception in the 30–12 road loss.[24]
2017 season
[edit]Set to be a restricted free agent in 2017, the Dolphins tendered Williams at the lowest level. After reportedly wanting a larger contract than the $1.797 million tender for 2017, he officially signed the tender on May 11, 2017.[25]
Williams entered the season second on the Dolphins' running back depth chart behind Jay Ajayi. However, Williams was named the starter ahead of Kenyan Drake after Ajayi was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles on October 31.[26] Williams made his first career start in Week 9 against the Oakland Raiders on Sunday Night Football and finished the 27–24 loss with seven carries for 14 yards and six receptions for 47 yards and his only touchdown of the season.[27] Two weeks later against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Williams set season-highs in carries with 10 and rushing yards with 78 while also recording a 24-yard reception in the 30–20 loss.[28] In the next game against the Patriots, he had eight carries for 38 yards and three receptions for 14 yards before leaving the eventual 35–17 road loss during the third quarter with a shoulder injury.[29][30] Williams was expected to be out for two to three weeks,[31] but he ended up missing the rest of the season.[32]
Williams finished the 2017 season with 46 carries for 181 yards and 20 receptions for 155 yards and a touchdown in 11 games and four starts.[33]
Kansas City Chiefs
[edit]2018 season
[edit]Williams signed with the Kansas City Chiefs on March 22, 2018.[34]
Williams' role increased after starter Kareem Hunt was released on November 30.[35] During Week 14 against the Baltimore Ravens, Williams made his first start of the season and finished the 27–24 overtime victory with eight carries for 14 yards and a touchdown to go along with four receptions for 16 yards and a touchdown.[36] In the next game against the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday Night Football, Williams had 10 carries for 49 yards and two touchdowns to go along with six receptions for 74 yards during the narrow 29–28 loss.[37] The following week against the Seattle Seahawks, he had his first game with over 100 rushing yards, recording 13 carries for 103 yards and seven receptions for 37 yards and a touchdown in the 38–31 road loss.[38]
On December 27, the Chiefs signed Williams to a two-year, $8.1 million contract extension.[39] Three days later in the regular season finale against the Raiders, he had 11 carries for 51 yards and a touchdown to go along with an eight-yard reception during the 35–3 blowout victory.[40]
Williams finished the 2018 season with 50 carries for 256 yards and four touchdowns to go along with 23 receptions for 160 yards and two touchdowns in 16 games and three starts.[41] He was called upon in the playoffs as the Chiefs' feature back. In the Divisional Round against the Indianapolis Colts, Williams had 25 carries for 129 yards and a touchdown to go along with five receptions for 25 yards during the 31–13 victory.[42] During the AFC Championship Game against the Patriots, he rushed 10 times for 30 yards and a touchdown and caught five passes for 66 yards and two touchdowns in the 37–31 overtime loss.[43]
2019 season
[edit]During the season-opener against the Jaguars, Williams had 13 carries for 26 yards and a touchdown to go along with six receptions for 39 yards in the 40–26 road victory.[44] In the next game against the Raiders, he caught three passes for 48 yards before leaving the eventual 28–10 road victory during the fourth quarter with a knee contusion.[45][46] Williams missed the next two games as a result.[47][48]
During a Week 6 31–24 loss to the Houston Texans, Williams had a six-yard carry and a 14-yard touchdown reception.[49] Two weeks later against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday Night Football, he rushed seven times for 30 yards and a touchdown in the 31–24 loss.[50] In the next game against the Vikings, Williams had his first 100-yard game of the season, rushing 12 times for 125 yards and a 91-yard touchdown during the 26–23 victory.[51] The 91-yard run tied Jamaal Charles for the longest touchdown run in franchise history.[52]
During Week 10 against the Tennessee Titans, Williams rushed 19 times for 77 yards in the 35–32 road loss.[53] In the next game against the Chargers on Monday Night Football, he had four carries for seven yards and a six-yard reception before leaving the eventual 24–17 road victory with a rib injury during the second quarter.[54][55] Williams returned from injury in Week 16 against the Chicago Bears and finished the 26–3 road victory with 16 carries for 65 yards to go along with three receptions for 27 yards and a touchdown.[56] During the regular season finale against the Chargers, he recorded 12 carries for 124 yards and two touchdowns, including an 84-yard touchdown, and also caught four passes for 30 yards in the 31–21 victory.[57]
Williams finished the 2019 season with 111 carries for 498 yards and five touchdowns to go along with 30 receptions for 213 yards and two touchdowns in 11 games and six starts.[58] In the Divisional Round against the Texans, he had 12 carries for 47 yards and two touchdowns to go along with two receptions for 21 yards and a touchdown during the 51–31 comeback victory.[59] During the AFC Championship Game against the Titans, Williams recorded 17 carries for 45 yards and a touchdown to go along with five receptions for 44 yards in the 35–24 victory.[60] In Super Bowl LIV against the San Francisco 49ers, he had 17 carries for 104 yards and a 38-yard touchdown to go along with four receptions for 29 yards and a touchdown during the 31–20 victory.[61] Williams scored a receiving touchdown with 2:44 left in the game that gave the Chiefs the lead. On their next possession, he scored the game clinching rushing touchdown that gave the Chiefs a 10-point lead with 1:12 left in the game. Williams is the first player in Super Bowl history with at least 100 rushing yards while recording a rushing and receiving touchdown.[62]
2020 season
[edit]On July 29, 2020, the Chiefs announced that Williams would opt out of the season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[63] The following day, he announced on Sirius XM NFL radio that the reason why he opted out was because his mother had recently been diagnosed with stage IV cancer.[64] Without Williams, the Chiefs reached Super Bowl LV, where they lost 31–9 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.[65]
Williams was released on March 16, 2021.[66]
Chicago Bears
[edit]On March 26, 2021, Williams signed a one-year contract with the Chicago Bears.[67]
Williams made his Bears debut in the season-opener against the Los Angeles Rams and finished the 34–14 road loss with six carries for 12 yards and four receptions for 28 yards.[68] Three weeks later against the Detroit Lions, he had eight carries for 55 yards and his first touchdown of the season to go along with two receptions for 15 yards.[69] In the next game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Williams recorded 16 carries for 64 yards and a touchdown to go along with two receptions for 20 yards during the 20–9 road victory.[70] During the regular season finale against the Vikings, he caught three passes for 33 yards and a touchdown in the 31–17 road loss.[71]
Williams finished the 2021 season with 40 carries for 164 yards and two touchdowns to go along with 16 receptions for 103 yards and a touchdown in 12 games and two starts.[72]
Atlanta Falcons
[edit]On March 17, 2022, Williams signed a one-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons.[73]
Williams made his Falcons debut in the season-opener against the New Orleans Saints, rushing twice for two yards before leaving the narrow 27–26 loss during the first quarter with a rib injury.[74][75] He was placed on injured reserve on September 17.[76]
Williams was released on December 12.[77]
Las Vegas Raiders
[edit]On August 11, 2023, Williams signed with the Las Vegas Raiders.[78] He was released on August 29.[79]
Arizona Cardinals
[edit]On October 5, 2023, the Arizona Cardinals signed Williams to their practice squad.[80] Nine days later, he was elevated to the active roster for the Week 6 matchup against the Rams.[81] Williams finished the 26–9 road loss with eight carries for 36 yards and an eight-yard reception.[82] On October 16, he was reverted back to the practice squad.[83]
Williams was released on November 9.[84]
NFL career statistics
[edit]| Legend | |
|---|---|
| Won the Super Bowl | |
| Led the league | |
| Bold | Career high |
Regular season
[edit]| Year | Team | Games | Rushing | Receiving | Returning | Fumbles | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Att | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Ret | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Fum | Lost | ||
| 2014 | MIA | 16 | 0 | 36 | 122 | 3.4 | 19 | 0 | 21 | 187 | 8.9 | 32 | 1 | 5 | 102 | 20.4 | 26 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | MIA | 16 | 0 | 16 | 59 | 3.7 | 19 | 0 | 21 | 142 | 6.8 | 23 | 1 | 21 | 457 | 21.8 | 37 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| 2016 | MIA | 15 | 0 | 35 | 115 | 3.3 | 23 | 3 | 23 | 249 | 10.8 | 58 | 3 | 3 | 32 | 10.7 | 17 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 2017 | MIA | 11 | 4 | 46 | 181 | 3.9 | 69 | 0 | 20 | 155 | 7.8 | 24 | 1 | 1 | −7 | −7.0 | −7 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | KC | 16 | 3 | 50 | 256 | 5.1 | 25 | 4 | 23 | 160 | 7.0 | 32 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 2019 | KC | 11 | 6 | 111 | 498 | 4.5 | 91T | 5 | 30 | 213 | 7.1 | 32 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 2020 | KC | 0 | 0 | Opt-out due to Covid-19 pandemic | ||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | CHI | 12 | 2 | 40 | 164 | 4.1 | 23 | 2 | 16 | 103 | 6.4 | 23T | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | ATL | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1.0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | ARI | 3 | 0 | 11 | 43 | 3.9 | 9 | 0 | 2 | 12 | 6.0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Career | 101 | 16 | 347 | 1,440 | 4.1 | 91T | 14 | 156 | 1,221 | 7.8 | 58 | 11 | 30 | 584 | 19.5 | 37 | 0 | 5 | 4 | |
Postseason
[edit]| Year | Team | Games | Rushing | Receiving | Returning | Fumbles | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Att | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Ret | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Fum | Lost | ||
| 2016 | MIA | 1 | 0 | 3 | 14 | 4.7 | 15 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 4.0 | 4T | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | KC | 2 | 2 | 35 | 159 | 4.5 | 24 | 2 | 10 | 91 | 9.1 | 33 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | KC | 3 | 3 | 46 | 196 | 4.3 | 38T | 4 | 11 | 94 | 8.5 | 17 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2020 | KC | 0 | 0 | Opt-out due to Covid-19 pandemic | ||||||||||||||||
| Career | 6 | 5 | 84 | 369 | 4.4 | 38T | 6 | 22 | 189 | 8.6 | 33 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
References
[edit]- ^ Klein, Gary (February 3, 2020). "Damien Williams helps carry Chiefs to Super Bowl LIV victory over 49ers". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 20, 2025.
- ^ "Damien Williams' High School Timeline". MaxPreps.com. Retrieved February 24, 2019.
- ^ Brand, Steve (November 19, 2009). "Mother's sacrifice paves the way for Mira Mesa's record-setting RB". San Diego Union–Tribune. Retrieved March 17, 2018.
- ^ Union-Tribune, Tom Krasovic | The San Diego (February 10, 2024). "San Marcos' Fred Warner gets a second Super Bowl crack at Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs". San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved January 20, 2025.
- ^ Przybylo, Bob (July 18, 2012). "RB Damien Williams takes U-turn to Oklahoma". ESPN.com. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
- ^ Hinnen, Jerry (November 23, 2013). "RB Damien Williams dismissed from Oklahoma". CBSSports.com. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
- ^ "Damien Williams 2012 Game Log". Sports Reference. Retrieved March 17, 2018.
- ^ "Damien Williams 2013 Game Log". Sports Reference. Retrieved March 17, 2018.
- ^ "Damien Williams Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved September 15, 2019.
- ^ "2014 Draft Scout Damien Williams, Oklahoma NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile". draftscout.com. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
- ^ Kelly, Omar (May 11, 2014). "Miami Dolphins sign Oklahoma tailback Damien Williams". South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
- ^ "New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins – September 7th, 2014". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 17, 2018.
- ^ "Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills – September 14th, 2014". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 17, 2018.
- ^ "Minnesota Vikings at Miami Dolphins – December 21st, 2014". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 17, 2018.
- ^ "Damien Williams 2014 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 17, 2018.
- ^ "Miami Dolphins at Jacksonville Jaguars – September 20th, 2015". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 17, 2018.
- ^ "Damien Williams 2015 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 17, 2018.
- ^ "Cleveland Browns at Miami Dolphins - September 25th, 2016". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
- ^ "Pittsburgh Steelers at Miami Dolphins - October 16th, 2016". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
- ^ "Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins - October 23rd, 2016". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
- ^ "Miami Dolphins at San Diego Chargers - November 13th, 2016". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
- ^ "Damien Williams 2016 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 17, 2018.
- ^ "2016 Miami Dolphins Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
- ^ "Wild Card – Miami Dolphins at Pittsburgh Steelers – January 8th, 2017". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 17, 2018.
- ^ Alper, Josh (May 11, 2017). "Damien Williams signs RFA tender". NBC Sports. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
- ^ "Miami Dolphins Depth Chart (11/01/2017)". OurLads.com. Retrieved February 18, 2018.
- ^ "Oakland Raiders at Miami Dolphins - November 5th, 2017". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
- ^ "Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Miami Dolphins - November 19th, 2017". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
- ^ By; Williams, Charean; By; Williams, Charean (November 26, 2017). "Damien Williams carted off with shoulder injury". NBC Sports. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
- ^ "Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots - November 26th, 2017". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
- ^ "Dolphins' Damien Williams: Likely out 2-to-3 weeks". CBSSports.com. November 27, 2017. Retrieved February 18, 2018.
- ^ "2017 Miami Dolphins Injuries". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
- ^ "Damien Williams 2017 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 17, 2018.
- ^ Teicher, Adam (March 22, 2018). "Chiefs reach deal with ex-Dolphins RB Damien Williams". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
- ^ "Chiefs cut ties with Hunt after release of video". ESPN.com. November 30, 2018. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
- ^ "Baltimore Ravens at Kansas City Chiefs - December 9th, 2018". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
- ^ "Los Angeles Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs - December 13th, 2018". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
- ^ "Kansas City Chiefs at Seattle Seahawks - December 23rd, 2018". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
- ^ Teicher, Adam (December 27, 2018). "Damien Williams gets extension from Chiefs after filling in for Kareem Hunt". ESPN.com. Retrieved December 27, 2018.
- ^ "Oakland Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs - December 30th, 2018". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
- ^ "Damien Williams 2018 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved February 24, 2019.
- ^ "Divisional Round – Indianapolis Colts at Kansas City Chiefs – January 12th, 2019". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved February 24, 2019.
- ^ "AFC Championship – New England Patriots at Kansas City Chiefs – January 20th, 2019". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved February 24, 2019.
- ^ "Kansas City Chiefs at Jacksonville Jaguars - September 8th, 2019". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
- ^ "Kansas City Chiefs at Oakland Raiders - September 15th, 2019". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
- ^ Goldman, Charles. "Report: Chiefs RB LeSean McCoy to receive MRI on injured ankle". Chiefs Wire. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
- ^ Weinrib, Ben (September 20, 2019). "Damien Williams ruled out with knee injury, leaves Chiefs short on weapons vs. Ravens". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
- ^ "Week 4 injury report for Sunday's NFL games". NFL.com. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
- ^ "Houston Texans at Kansas City Chiefs - October 13th, 2019". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
- ^ "Green Bay Packers at Kansas City Chiefs - October 27th, 2019". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
- ^ "Butker's late FGs help Chiefs rally past Vikings, 26–23". ESPN.com. Associated Press. November 3, 2019. Retrieved November 3, 2019.
- ^ Grathoff, Pete (May 27, 2020). "Chiefs' Damien Williams burns Vikings for 91-yard TD on longest run of year in NFL". The Kansas City Star. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
- ^ "Kansas City Chiefs at Tennessee Titans - November 10th, 2019". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
- ^ "Kansas City Chiefs at Los Angeles Chargers - November 18th, 2019". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
- ^ Derrick, Matt (November 18, 2019). "Chiefs WR Tyreek Hill, RB Damien Williams Exit with Injuries vs. Chargers". Kansas City Chiefs On SI. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
- ^ "Kansas City Chiefs at Chicago Bears - December 22nd, 2019". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
- ^ "Chiefs top Bolts 31–21 to earn No. 2 seed, first-round bye". ESPN.com. Associated Press. December 29, 2019. Retrieved December 29, 2019.
- ^ "Damien Williams 2019 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved January 6, 2020.
- ^ "Chiefs rally from 24–0 hole to beat Texans 51–31 in playoffs". ESPN.com. Associated Press. January 12, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2020.
- ^ "Mahomes' feet, arms, lift Chiefs to Super Bowl over Titans". ESPN.com. Associated Press. January 19, 2020. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
- ^ "Super Bowl LIV – San Francisco 49ers vs. Kansas City Chiefs – February 2nd, 2020". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
- ^ "Mahomes leads Chiefs' rally past 49ers in Super Bowl, 31–20". ESPN.com. Associated Press. February 2, 2020. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
- ^ @Chiefs (July 29, 2020). "Statement from GM Brett Veach "Damien Williams informed the club of his decision to opt out of the 2020 season."" (Tweet). Retrieved July 29, 2020 – via Twitter.
- ^ Sweeney, Pete (July 30, 2020). "Damien Williams reveals why he opted out of 2020 NFL season". ArrowheadPride.com. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
- ^ "Super Bowl LV – Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Kansas City Chiefs – February 7th, 2021". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
- ^ Teicher, Adam (March 16, 2021). "With youth and depth at the position, Kansas City Chiefs release veteran running back Damien Williams". ESPN.com. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
- ^ Mayer, Larry (March 26, 2021). "Roster Move: Bears land ex-Chiefs RB Williams". ChicagoBears.com. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
- ^ "Chicago Bears at Los Angeles Rams - September 12th, 2021". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
- ^ "Detroit Lions at Chicago Bears - October 3rd, 2021". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
- ^ "Chicago Bears at Las Vegas Raiders - October 10th, 2021". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
- ^ "Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings - January 9th, 2022". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
- ^ "Damien Williams 2021 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
- ^ McElhaney, Tori (March 18, 2022). "Falcons sign running back Damien Williams to one-year deal". AtlantaFalcons.com. Archived from the original on September 30, 2022. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
- ^ "New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons - September 11th, 2022". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
- ^ Ikic, Adnan (September 11, 2022). "Damien Williams leaves Week 1 game against the Saints with a rib injury". The Falcoholic. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
- ^ McElhaney, Tori (September 17, 2022). "Falcons place veteran running back on injured reserve". AtlantaFalcons.com. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
- ^ "Damien Williams: Waived from IR". CBSSports.com. December 12, 2022. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
- ^ "Raiders sign RB Damien Williams". Raiders.com. August 11, 2023. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
- ^ "Raiders finalize initial 53-man roster for the 2023 season". Raiders.com. August 29, 2023. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
- ^ Kwong, Andy (October 5, 2023). "Cardinals sign RB Damien Williams to practice squad". Revenge of the Birds. SB Nation. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
- ^ Urban, Darren (October 14, 2023). "Cardinals Activate Dennis Daley, Elevate Damien Williams". AZCardinals.com. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
- ^ Terelle, Matthew (October 15, 2023). "Damien Williams sees nine touches in Week 6". fantasypros.com. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
- ^ "Cardinals' Damien Williams: Heads back to practice squad". CBSSports.com. October 16, 2023. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
- ^ Robinson, Sam (November 9, 2023). "Cardinals Reach Injury Settlement With RB Damien Williams, Waive RB Tony Jones Jr". Pro Football Rumors. Retrieved February 24, 2024.
External links
[edit]
- Career statistics from ESPN · Yahoo Sports · Pro Football Reference
- Oklahoma Sooners bio
Damien Williams
View on GrokipediaEarly years
Early life and family
Damien Williams was born on April 3, 1992, in San Diego, California.[3] He grew up in the San Diego area, primarily in neighborhoods like Kearny Mesa, as the oldest of three sons raised by his single mother, Virleanna Alexander, a full-time paralegal.[8][9] Williams has two younger brothers, Xavier and Delvin, with the family navigating various hardships, including multiple relocations within the region for better educational and athletic opportunities.[10][11] Virleanna Alexander played a pivotal role in shaping Williams' upbringing, emphasizing discipline, academic responsibility, and strong family values amid their challenges. She prioritized her sons' education, often handling household duties herself while encouraging them to excel in school and sports, as reflected in her stance: "I want them to go to school and get an education. They have no excuses as to why their homework isn’t finished."[8][10] This guidance fostered a tightknit family dynamic that supported Williams' early interest in football during his childhood in San Diego.[8]High school career
Williams attended Mira Mesa Senior High School in San Diego, California, during his junior and senior years, following stints at El Cajon Valley High School as a freshman and Kearny High School.[12] As a running back and return specialist at Mira Mesa, Williams demonstrated exceptional speed and vision, particularly in his senior season of 2009, when he rushed for 2,287 yards on 231 carries and scored 24 rushing touchdowns.[13] His performance also included 108 receiving yards, highlighting his role in the passing game, and he earned first-team All-CIF honors in the San Diego Section for his contributions.[14] Williams further showcased his athletic versatility through participation in track and field, where he competed in sprints, recording a personal best of 11.17 seconds in the 100-meter dash and helping anchor the school's 4x100-meter relay team to a time of 42.21 seconds. In recruitment, the three-star prospect received a scholarship offer from Arizona State and committed to the Sun Devils, signing a letter of intent in February 2010.[13][15]College career
University of Oklahoma
Damien Williams joined the University of Oklahoma as a junior college transfer from Arizona Western College ahead of the 2012 season, following a high school recruitment that initially drew interest from programs like Arizona State before he opted for junior college.[16] Under head coach Bob Stoops, Williams began his Sooners career in a backup role behind established runners Dominique Whaley and Brennan Clay, but rapidly progressed into a more prominent position during the 2012 campaign.[17] His breakout performance came in the Red River Rivalry against Texas, where he broke free for a 95-yard touchdown run—the longest in the history of the annual matchup—helping secure a decisive 63–21 victory and showcasing his explosive speed and vision.[18] Williams' contributions extended to the postseason, as he helped the Sooners in their Holiday Bowl appearance against Baylor, adding depth to the backfield in a high-scoring affair.[19] Entering 2013 as a senior, Williams assumed a larger share of the rushing workload, building on his momentum from the prior year when he earned second-team All-Big 12 honors and the conference's Offensive Newcomer of the Year award.[20] However, his season was disrupted by off-field issues, including a one-game suspension for an undisclosed violation ahead of the matchup against Tulsa.[21] He faced another suspension for the game at Kansas State and was ultimately dismissed from the team in late November for violating team rules, cutting short his collegiate tenure and preventing participation in the Sooners' Russell Athletic Bowl.[22]College statistics
During his time at the University of Oklahoma from 2012 to 2013, Damien Williams primarily contributed as a running back, accumulating 1,499 rushing yards on 290 attempts with an average of 5.2 yards per carry and 18 rushing touchdowns, alongside 410 receiving yards on 43 receptions with 1 receiving touchdown.[19] The following table provides a year-by-year breakdown of his key statistics:| Season | Games Played | Rushing Attempts | Rushing Yards | Yards per Carry | Rushing TDs | Receptions | Receiving Yards | Yards per Reception | Receiving TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 13 | 176 | 946 | 5.4 | 11 | 34 | 320 | 9.4 | 1 |
| 2013 | 9 | 114 | 553 | 4.9 | 7 | 9 | 90 | 10.0 | 0 |
| Career Totals | 22 | 290 | 1,499 | 5.2 | 18 | 43 | 410 | 9.5 | 1 |
Professional career
Miami Dolphins (2014–2017)
After going undrafted in the 2014 NFL Draft due to disciplinary issues at the University of Oklahoma, Damien Williams signed with the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent on May 15, 2014.[23][24] In his rookie season of 2014, Williams saw limited offensive snaps behind starting running back Lamar Miller, primarily contributing on special teams and as a change-of-pace back. He appeared in all 16 games without a start, recording 36 rushing attempts for 122 yards and no touchdowns, along with 21 receptions for 187 yards and one touchdown. His first NFL carry came in Week 2 against the Buffalo Bills on September 14, 2014, where he rushed five times for 19 yards in a 29-10 loss.[25][26] Williams continued as a rotational player in 2015 and 2016, sharing carries with Miller in 2015 before Miller's departure and with Jay Ajayi in 2016. In 2015, he played all 16 games with 16 rushing attempts for 59 yards, 21 receptions for 142 yards and one touchdown, but fumbled twice, contributing to his inconsistent role. His usage increased slightly in 2016 across 15 games, where he had 35 rushing attempts for 115 yards and three touchdowns, plus 23 receptions for 249 yards and three touchdowns, though he lost another fumble. These seasons highlighted his versatility as a receiver out of the backfield but also his ball-security challenges.[27][28] The 2017 season marked a breakout in terms of opportunities for Williams after Ajayi was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles in October, leading to four starts in 11 games. He rushed 46 times for 181 yards and caught 20 passes for 155 yards and one touchdown, accumulating 336 all-purpose yards without a fumble. Despite the increased role, his production remained modest amid the Dolphins' 6-10 record, and persistent fumble concerns from prior years limited his trust as a primary back. Williams' rookie contract expired after the season, and as an unrestricted free agent, he departed Miami to sign with the Kansas City Chiefs in March 2018.[4][29]Kansas City Chiefs (2018–2020)
Williams signed with the Kansas City Chiefs as a free agent on March 22, 2018, agreeing to a one-year contract worth $1.5 million after spending four seasons with the Miami Dolphins.[30] Initially positioned as the third-string running back behind starter Kareem Hunt and Spencer Ware, Williams saw limited action early in the season, recording just 1 rushing yard on 3 carries through the first 11 games.[3][31] His role expanded dramatically following Hunt's release on November 30, 2018, due to a domestic violence incident, and Ware's season-ending knee injury shortly after; Williams stepped in as the primary backfield option, rushing for 255 yards and four touchdowns over the final five regular-season games while adding 142 receiving yards on 20 catches and two receiving touchdowns.[32] His performance earned him a two-year contract extension on December 27, 2018, with a maximum value of $8.1 million, securing his place in head coach Andy Reid's offense.[33] In the 2019 season, Williams emerged as a versatile lead back in a committee approach, finishing with 111 carries for 498 rushing yards and five touchdowns, along with 30 receptions for 213 yards and two scores in 11 games.[34][35] He provided balance to Reid's pass-heavy scheme, particularly after the Chiefs' early-season struggles with their ground game, and showcased explosive potential with a 91-yard touchdown run against the Minnesota Vikings on November 3—the longest rushing touchdown of the 2019 regular season—which helped secure a 26-23 victory.[36] Williams' reliability as a receiver and blocker further integrated him into the offense, complementing quarterback Patrick Mahomes and wide receivers like Tyreek Hill.[37] Williams' tenure peaked in the playoffs, where he became a pivotal force in the Chiefs' run to their first Super Bowl title in 50 years. In the AFC Championship Game against the New England Patriots on January 20, 2019, he rushed for 30 yards on 10 carries with one touchdown and caught five passes for 66 yards and two scores, including two crucial fourth-quarter receiving touchdowns—a 23-yard score that gave Kansas City a 20-17 lead and a 5-yard score that tied the game at 24-24—in the eventual 37-31 overtime loss.[38][39] The following postseason, during the 2019 campaign, Williams delivered an MVP-caliber performance in Super Bowl LIV against the San Francisco 49ers on February 2, 2020, rushing for 104 yards on 17 carries—including a 38-yard game-sealing touchdown—and adding 29 receiving yards with another score, totaling 133 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns to help secure a 31-20 victory.[40] His dual-threat ability in the postseason—rushing for 196 yards and four touchdowns across three games—underscored his impact on Reid's balanced attack, which relied on his versatility to control the clock and exploit defenses.[41][39] Williams opted out of the 2020 season on July 29, citing concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic and his mother's recent stage 4 cancer diagnosis, a decision that allowed him to prioritize family while forgoing $350,000 in earnings.[42] The Chiefs released him on March 16, 2021, as part of salary cap management, saving over $2 million with a young backfield led by Clyde Edwards-Helaire in place.[43] Over his three seasons in Kansas City, Williams amassed 754 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns in 27 regular-season games, but his postseason heroics—540 all-purpose yards and ten total touchdowns in five games—cemented his legacy as a clutch contributor who brought stability and explosiveness to Reid's high-powered offense during its championship resurgence.[44][39]Later teams (2021–2023)
Following his prominent role with the Kansas City Chiefs, where he was a key contributor in Super Bowl LIV, Damien Williams entered a phase of reduced production and team mobility across multiple franchises.[45] In March 2021, Williams signed a one-year contract with the Chicago Bears to provide depth behind starting running back David Montgomery.[46] He appeared in 12 games that season, primarily in a backup capacity, rushing for 164 yards on 40 carries with 2 touchdowns while adding 16 receptions for 103 yards and 1 receiving touchdown.[3] Williams joined the Atlanta Falcons on a one-year deal in March 2022, aiming to bolster their backfield.[47] However, his tenure was limited by injury; after recording 2 rushing yards on 2 carries in his only game appearance, he suffered a rib injury and was placed on injured reserve in September.[48] The Falcons released him in December 2022.[49] In 2023, Williams briefly signed with the Las Vegas Raiders on August 11 as a free agent amid their running back depth issues, but he was released on August 29 following the resolution of Josh Jacobs' contract holdout, without appearing in a regular-season game.[50] Later that year, on October 5, he joined the Arizona Cardinals' practice squad to support their injury-depleted backfield.[51] Elevated for three games, Williams rushed for 43 yards on 11 carries and caught 2 passes for 12 yards, but a foot injury sidelined him further, leading to his release with an injury settlement in November.[3] These later seasons marked a clear decline from Williams' peak playoff performances, influenced by injuries and his age entering his early 30s. As of November 2025, Williams remains an unsigned free agent with no reported contract signings or NFL activity since 2023, and he has not officially announced retirement.[3]Career statistics and achievements
NFL statistics
Damien Williams played in the NFL from 2014 to 2023, accumulating 347 rushing attempts for 1,440 yards at an average of 4.1 yards per carry and 14 rushing touchdowns, alongside 156 receptions for 1,221 yards and 11 receiving touchdowns.[3] His career all-purpose yards totaled 3,614, including contributions from kickoff returns.[3] There was no recorded NFL activity for Williams in 2024 or 2025.[3]Regular Season Rushing Statistics
| Year | Team | Att | Yds | Avg | Long | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | MIA | 36 | 122 | 3.4 | 17 | 0 |
| 2015 | MIA | 16 | 59 | 3.7 | 15 | 0 |
| 2016 | MIA | 35 | 115 | 3.3 | 28 | 3 |
| 2017 | MIA | 46 | 181 | 3.9 | 25 | 0 |
| 2018 | KC | 50 | 256 | 5.1 | 25 | 4 |
| 2019 | KC | 111 | 498 | 4.5 | 29 | 5 |
| 2020 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 2021 | CHI | 40 | 164 | 4.1 | 23 | 2 |
| 2022 | ATL | 2 | 2 | 1.0 | 2 | 0 |
| 2023 | ARI | 11 | 43 | 3.9 | 9 | 0 |
| Career | - | 347 | 1,440 | 4.1 | 29 | 14 |
Regular Season Receiving Statistics
| Year | Team | Rec | Yds | Avg | Long | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | MIA | 21 | 187 | 8.9 | 25 | 1 |
| 2015 | MIA | 21 | 142 | 6.8 | 20 | 1 |
| 2016 | MIA | 23 | 249 | 10.8 | 72 | 3 |
| 2017 | MIA | 20 | 155 | 7.8 | 24 | 1 |
| 2018 | KC | 23 | 160 | 7.0 | 18 | 2 |
| 2019 | KC | 30 | 213 | 7.1 | 20 | 2 |
| 2020 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 2021 | CHI | 16 | 103 | 6.4 | 19 | 1 |
| 2022 | ATL | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | ARI | 2 | 12 | 6.0 | 11 | 0 |
| Career | - | 156 | 1,221 | 7.8 | 72 | 11 |
Regular Season Totals by Year
| Year | Team | G | GS | Rush Yds | Rec Yds | Total Yds | Total TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | MIA | 16 | 0 | 122 | 187 | 309 | 1 |
| 2015 | MIA | 16 | 0 | 59 | 142 | 201 | 1 |
| 2016 | MIA | 15 | 0 | 115 | 249 | 364 | 6 |
| 2017 | MIA | 11 | 4 | 181 | 155 | 336 | 1 |
| 2018 | KC | 16 | 3 | 256 | 160 | 416 | 6 |
| 2019 | KC | 11 | 6 | 498 | 213 | 711 | 7 |
| 2020 | - | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | CHI | 12 | 2 | 164 | 103 | 267 | 3 |
| 2022 | ATL | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 2023 | ARI | 3 | 0 | 43 | 12 | 55 | 0 |
| Career | - | 101 | 16 | 1,440 | 1,221 | 2,661 | 25 |
Postseason Statistics
Williams appeared in six postseason games across three seasons, with career playoff totals of 84 rushing attempts for 369 yards (4.4 average) and 6 rushing touchdowns, plus 22 receptions for 189 yards and 5 receiving touchdowns.[3] His postseason all-purpose yards totaled 558 from scrimmage.[3]Postseason Rushing and Receiving by Year
| Year | Team | G | GS | Rush Att/Yds/Avg/TD | Rec/Yds/TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | MIA | 1 | 0 | 3/14/4.7/0 | 1/4/1 |
| 2018 | KC | 2 | 2 | 35/159/4.5/2 | 10/91/2 |
| 2019 | KC | 3 | 3 | 46/196/4.3/4 | 11/94/2 |
| Career | - | 6 | 5 | 84/369/4.4/6 | 22/189/5 |