UTSA alum Teddy Williams to play in Super Bowl 50

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(Jan. 26, 2016) -- Former UTSA track & field star Teddy Williams will play in Super Bowl 50 as a member of the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, Feb. 7, after the Panthers downed the Arizona Cardinals by a score of 49-15 in Sunday night's NFC Championship Game.

Williams, who is in his first season with Carolina, registered a special teams tackle and recovered Patrick Peterson's muffed punt in the second quarter that led to the Panthers' third touchdown of the contest.

"It's a great feeling to be a part of a team that feels like a family," Williams said to goUTSA.com on Monday. "It's just a great culture because we truly go out on the field and fight for our brothers. To be able to have the opportunity to play in the Super Bowl is a blessing"

Williams, a seven-year NFL veteran, has seen action in all 18 games (16 regular season/2 playoffs) for Carolina this season, primarily on special teams. The 6-foot-1, 210-pounder has recorded a career-high 14 tackles (11 solos/3 assists), one pass breakup, a forced fumble and Sunday's fumble recovery. He signed a two-year free agent contract last offseason on March 13.

It's been quite the journey for Williams, who wrapped up his UTSA career in 2010 as arguably the greatest track athlete in school history.

The four-time All-America sprinter was a two-time Southland Conference Athlete of the Year and nine-time league champion during his four-year career that spanned 2007-10. The Tyler native also broke four program records during his time in the Alamo City, including a wind-aided 9.90 in the 100 meters at the 2009 UTEP Invitational, which was the fastest time in the world for the majority of that year.

Despite not playing football since his junior year at Tyler John Tyler High School due to injury, he began training with former Roadrunners assistant coach Eric Roark in Summer 2010.

He quickly caught the eye of the Dallas Cowboys, who signed him to an undrafted rookie free agent contract on July 29 during their training camp that was held at the Alamodome. He began his professional career at cornerback.

Williams spent the first 14 games of the 2010 campaign as a member of the Cowboys' practice squad before being promoted to the active roster for the final two tilts of that season, but he was inactive for contests at the Arizona Cardinals and Philadelphia Eagles

Williams then spent the following year on the practice squad at wide receiver before being waived in the final round of training camp cuts in 2012.

The Indianapolis Colts signed him to their practice squad on Oct. 29 that year and he was elevated to the active roster on Nov. 16. Williams saw his first-ever NFL game action two days later against the New England Patriots, seeing limited action at cornerback and on special teams. He went on to appear in the final six regular season contests for the Colts but was inactive for their wild card playoff game against the Baltimore Ravens.

Williams was waived/injured by Indianapolis in the final training camp roster cutdown in 2013, but the Cardinals signed him to a free agent pact on Oct. 22.

He played in three games at wide receiver and on special teams for Arizona that year before being placed on injured reserve. He caught a 51-yard pass, his first career reception, against the Atlanta Falcons and also registered a special teams tackle and downed a punt on the 1-yard line against the Houston Texans. Williams tore his Achilles tendon on punt coverage the following week at the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The 2014 campaign saw him play for three different teams, as he appeared in a combined seven games for the Chicago Bears and Jaguars in addition to appearing on Arizona's practice squad.

Williams again switched back to cornerback and totaled a pair of special teams tackles. He spent Weeks 2-4 on the Cardinals' practice squad until being signed by the Bears on Oct. 1. He played in five games and logged two special teams tackles for Chicago before being waived on Nov. 10.

Williams then was claimed off waivers by the Jaguars the following day but did not have any statistics in two games while being inactive for another four.

Seven years and six teams later, the journey is complete with Williams helping contribute to the NFL's best regular season record (15-1), an NFC Championship and berth in the Super Bowl against the Denver Broncos at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif.

By UTSA Athletics

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Republished with permission by UTSA Athletics. Read the original article.

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