Aaron Williams’ Father Says Son will Decide on Career in the Offseason
After taking a controversial hit to the head from Jarvis Landry in last week’s Bills loss to the Dolphins, Aaron Williams’ father says his son has no plans to retire as of yet.
Unfortunately, we’ve seen this chilling scene play out on too many occasions now: Bills safety Aaron Williams laid on his back, surrounded by teammates and the team’s medical staff as he appears helpless after taking forcible blows to his head and neck.
The latest episode occurred last Sunday in Miami in what some people, and Rex Ryan in particular, feel like was a dirty hit by Landry.
Given his injury history, the Bills unsurprisingly have remained mum on the six-year veteran’s health and Williams himself has not been made available to the media.
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His father, however, is speaking out.
Talking with the Associated Press on Thursday, Anthony Williams said that his son hasn’t made any retirement plans and that a family discussion will occur before a decision is made either way.
“We’ll wait to talk about that at the end of the season as a family, and we’ll pray about it and make the best decision that’s right for him,” Williams said.
According to the elder Williams, doctors have ruled out a concussion but did say that his son was experiencing soreness in one of his shoulders.
Speaking to the media on Thursday, Ryan said that there is no timetable for Williams return and added: “I don’t think there’s any doubt there’s some long-term concerns there.”
For Williams, 26, this is the third major head injury he’s endured while playing in the NFL, all of which have occurred in about a year’s time. And before it was happening in the pros, it was also happening in college, while the San Jose, California native was a member of the Texas Longhorns.
Williams has recovered and been cleared to return from each of these devastating hits he’s taken and he may very well do so again, but at what point does common sense creep in? The human body can but withstand so much physical punishment and at 26 Williams may believe he has wolverine like healing capabilities, but that isn’t reality.
These plays he’s been involved with are very real, dangerous, and they keep on happening.
For many, playing professional football is a dream come true and it surely can’t be easy to walk away from especially in the early stages of one’s career, but it’s important to remember football careers only last for a short period.
There are plenty of stories regarding what the trade-off of playing football can be, from memory loss in old age to far worse things. It’s why we’ve seen a recent string of elite-level players retiring in their prime.
Perhaps Aaron Williams should follow suit?
His contribution to this Bills since being drafted 34th overall in 2011 can’t be disputed and with expectations low this season, Williams has performed admirably. A leader on defence, the Bills just seem to play better when he’s on the field.
If he retires, undoubtedly he’ll be missed, but you know what? The Bills will move on, you the fans will move on, and William himself will ultimately move on because that’s life. Things happen, we adapt and move on.
With his latest injury do you think Aaron Williams will play again this season for the Bills? At 26, should he retire while he’s still in good health? Let us know in the comments section below.