The position of quarterback has been a microcosm of the black man's struggle in America—a door supposedly “open to all”—except for us of a darker hue who continuously knock, kick, and scream until an answer comes.
For 80 years, the black man has fought tooth and nail to lead a professional football franchise to glory. Many came before Doug Williams, and some of them may have even been better skilled. But looking back on the life of Douglas Lee Williams—none were better prepared.
My mother says, “The Lord chooses whom he will.” If you ask Williams about being the Chosen One, he places it at the feet of hard work, opportunity, and determination more than anything.
Born the sixth of eight children in Zachary, LA, to Robert and Laura Williams, Doug learned the lessons of hard work at an early age. His father was wounded in the attacks on Pearl Harbor, but was able to make a living as a construction worker and nightclub manager. His mother worked as a school cook. Money was hard to come by in the Williams household, but it remained a close-knit home.
Williams was active in all sports, especially in football, where he found his niche at quarterback.
Coming out of high school, Doug was only recruited by two schools, Southern University and Grambling State University. It was Williams’ conversation with legendary coach Eddie Robinson that won Williams over and convinced him to attend Grambling.
It would be one of several conversations with Robinson that would carry Williams through the course of his life.
Williams’ freshman season at Grambling was a forgettable one—he was redshirted, which resulted in his grades and confidence dropping off. His father was so troubled that he considered removing Williams from school and finding him work. His sophomore season worked out better—he was penciled in as the team’s third-string quarterback.
Once again, not feeling satisfied with the results, Williams considered leaving the team, but coach Robinson talked him into staying on.
When it seemed darkest for Williams—opportunity presented itself. The Tigers' starting quarterback was lost to injury, allowing Williams to work his way into the starting role. From that day on, Williams would not relinquish the position. He would finish out the remainder of the 1974 season, and his remaining three seasons, as Grambling’s signal caller.
Williams enjoyed a magnificent career for the Tigers. He would win 35 of 40 games as a starter, while winning four consecutive SWAC titles. In 1977, Williams was named a first team All-American by the Associated Press and finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy voting.
He would leave Grambling with 8,411 passing yards and 93 touchdowns, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Health and Physical Education.
In the 1978 NFL Draft, Williams would be the first quarterback taken, with the 17th overall pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Other notables selected: Earl Campbell, Art Still, Wes Chandler, James Lofton, Clay Matthews, Mike Kenn, John Jefferson, and Ozzie Newsome...and that was just the first round.
Williams' rookie season began with a contract dispute that would eventually end with him making $565,000 for five seasons. In spite of his late arrival, he would win the starting job, and he led the downtrodden Bucs to an 4-4 record through eight games.
In Week 10, Williams would suffer a broken jaw, an injury from which he would recover from in time to play in the season finale. Despite a shortened season, Williams would be named to the NFL’s All-Rookie Team.
The 1979 Tampa Bay Buccaneers seemed to be a team of destiny, finishing the season 10-6. They would go on to win the Central Division and face the Philadelphia Eagles in the divisional round of the NFC Playoffs.
I remember this game vividly, because of the three names I heard all afternoon: Lee Roy Selmon, Ricky Bell (who the Eagles could not stop for anything), and Doug Williams. It was a long day for Jaws and the vaunted Philly O-line who had no answer for Selmon. Williams did just enough to win, as the Bucs would go on to record one of the great upsets in NFL history.
The following week the Bucs would host the NFC Championship game against the Los Angeles Rams. Williams tore his biceps muscle, and missed most of the third and all of the fourth quarter, and despite a yeoman defensive effort, the Bucs would fall 9-0.
Williams would have to wait eight more years before his next shot at the Super Bowl.
For eight years, there was no game plan or pregame speech that could prepare Doug Williams for the all-out blitz he was going to encounter.
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