Cary Williams overcame abuse and anguish on way to NFL 
Adopted by his cousin, offered a scholarship by a school he'd never heard of and plucked by the Ravens, Williams found his way


Williams' father, Cary Williams Sr., was determined to do whatever it would take to keep his two sons alive, to keep them from joining a gang, but the burden was enormous. Both father and son agree on this much, even to this day. Williams' mother was diagnosed with schizophrenia when her two sons were very young, and Williams estimates he and his younger brother Ronald lived with her for no more than 10 months throughout their lives. They would visit her every time she checked into a mental hospital, always hoping and praying that this time, someone would help her get better. Those prayers were never answered.

"Every time she'd have one of her spells, she'd go into the mental asylum," Williams said. "That was the majority of my life. We'd go to different mental asylums and see her when she wasn't in the best condition. I felt like I didn't have a mother to a degree, because we didn't have a mother-son relationship. I loved her, but we were never able to sit down and have a real conversation, a heart-to-heart. It hurts me every single day when I think about it."

Cary Williams Sr. will admit, right up front, that he struggled to keep his head above water as a single father. He was confused, overwhelmed, and occasionally angry. He was too proud, he says now, to ask for help. At some point, he told himself the most important thing he could do for his sons was keep them away from drugs, and keep them alive. He had been a high school track star growing up in Dade County in the 1970s, and Cary and his brother never tired of hearing the neighborhood urban legend about the day their father outran a car in a street race. Sports, Williams Sr. believed, provided the only chance he had.

Williams emerged as a starter for the first time last season, recording a career-high 77 tackles and 18 pass deflections with two forced fumbles.

Although Williams underwent surgery during the offseason to repair a torn labrum in his right hip, the Ravens attempted to lock him up on a long-term basis.

Instead, though, Williams signed his one-year, $1.927 million restricted free agent tender.

"Cary was fired up about his value and what he's worth after a successful year," said Marc Lillibridge, Williams' agent. "We feel like if he can play as good or better than last season and lead the Ravens to a Super Bowl, then he'll get his just due. I completely agree with that. You roll the dice on yourself your entire life.

"Cary loves challenges and people that doubt him. He thrives on proving people wrong. Cary continues to amaze people with his determination. This is simply another challenge he will take on, and ultimately conquer."

A college degree is a step above someone who doesn't have a degree, therefore they have an advantage. Also, being a former professional sports player is a positive, not a negative. Of course, the position of employment also factors a role too.

Originally Posted by: Zero2Cool 

I really don't see how being a former NFL player would be a positive for many businesses, outside of Sales or anything else that will make your customers immediately respond to that person. But even then, without the appropriate skills, that sort of attention is unlikely to turn into sales. There's exceptions of course, but I'd be hesitant to hire... Well, anybody used to making tons of money and being adored, in the spotlight. Yes, being in the NFL and successful enough to be in the "millions of dollars" discussion would mean that this person has at least decent teamwork skills and presumably work ethic. But what happens to that work ethic when you pay them 1/100,000th of what they're used to? What about the crappy customers, lack of major attention received for any good job done? I may be selling some people short, but again there's tons of people out there completely unwilling to put forth any effort unless they have a job they really like and are getting paid what they think they're worth. I don't see your standard NFL player as having a dramatic amount more basic work ethic than Joe Worker, and hiring a multimillionaire that's used to having their every good move highlighted (as well as bad, to be fair) would make me extremely nervous.

Originally Posted by: Porforis 

My point there is simply this.. if they are not offering much in terms of guaranteed money.. if might not be a contract that secures his family long term.

3 year 15 million without much in guarantees offers little protection in this dog eat dog sport. He goes out and tears a knee up.. he might never see that money.

We don't know his financial situation.. his he supporting more than just his immediate family? Is he supporting a Mother, a Father? Brothers or sisters? Is there medical conditions anywhere in his family?

Not saying it is or isn't.. but without a chunk of guaranteed money, all you have is the potential to earn 15 over 3 in the cited example.

While most of us can't touch that type of cash, namely me lol, part of your job as a provider is to secure the family as best as you can.

So if the Ravens are backloading the deal.. or not offering much in terms of guarantees.. I could see the rational in the statement for a guy in his position and talent. NFL players have options we in the "real" world just don't have.

All I am saying is I can see why it is labeled as greed... but we just don't know enough details to understand his position.

Originally Posted by: Pack93z 

I had to google his name; guess how I feel about his "need" to earn more than $5M a year...

Originally Posted by: Since69 

I never once judged him, nor would I ever as I am ignorant to the entire facts (perhaps he has tons of medical bills from a family member coping with cancer?). I take offense to any implication of the such. I specifically said this kind of stuff, not this person. You hurt my feelings. ✋

Originally Posted by: Zero2Cool 

Who the hell said you did... I clearly stated I would not judge him.. I never stated nor implied you did.

Please don't put words or implication in my posts.. I was posting my opinion on the topic at hand.. not picking yours apart.

Did I make that point clear now?

My point is.. "this stuff" shouldn't be, in my opinion, taken as a global statement from all.. each different case has different circumstances.. and we just don't know those circumstances all the time.

That is all..

Originally Posted by: Pack93z