DeAngelo Williams is a player many of you should be more than familiar with. He's our franchises leading rusher, leading the rankings of rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, and 100 yard games by a fair margin. He ranks third in franchise history in total points scored, and fifth in receptions. He was part of a one two punch with Jonathan Stewart that not only set the history books (two 1,000 yard rushers on the same team in a single season), but also lead the Panthers to their two highest regular season win totals at 12-4.
DeAngelo Williams was a great Panther, had he not shared the load with Jonathan Stewart we could be talking a remarkable career as an all time rusher in the entire league. However, DeAngelo Williams shared the load with many different talented running backs in his time, running backs such as Deshaun Foster, Jonathan Stewart, and Mike Tolbert. Because of this Williams experienced a lengthier career. His numbers won't put him on many all time NFL stat sheets, but he is one of the best Panthers to ever take the field.
DeAngelo Williams was never a guy who made waves in the media. He kept his head clean and played football the way every young rookie should, he devoted his time and effort to becoming a better football player. It took him a few years, but finally in 2008 any football fan could see why the Panthers used a first round pick on him in 2006. Teaming with Jonathan Stewart as one of the most dangerous rushing duos in all of football, he ran for 1,515 yards and 18 touchdowns, all standing single season records for the franchise. With a strong defense and a revitalized Jake Delhomme backing them up, Double Trouble smashed and dashed their way to a 12-4 record, trouncing the likes of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Green Bay Packers, the Chicago Bears, and the Atlanta Falcons. Sadly that team, and every other Panthers team in his career, could not come away with a Super Bowl victory. It's a travesty that a player as good as DeAngelo Williams didn't get a ring, but he helped shape the foundation of the Carolina Panthers today. He stood strong during a retooled roster, a coaching regime change, and a quarterback change that changed the course of history for the Carolina Panthers, that alone would rank him as one of the top Carolina Panthers of all time. But there's even more
Breast Cancer Awareness
The month of October has become an annual event in the NFL. Teams and players sport their pink attire in support of a great cause, and every year they raise money and awareness towards a disease that has claimed way too many women. DeAngelo Williams was one of the biggest advocates in the league, taking to the media and telling his story. Williams has lost five family members to the disease, and wrote an absolutely beautiful tribute to his mother this past season. He's a vocal advocate of this breast cancer awareness movement, as you can clearly see that the disease has hit him so close to home and affected his life in so many ways. It truly was an amazing thing seeing Williams come out in 2015 with his pink dreadlocks and continue to Keep Pounding even after he lost one of his biggest inspirations to this disease. It's a truly humbling story to see a guy like Williams share such intimate family stories with his fans, and I am infinitely glad that he was able to spread his message.
We all take a very black and white approach on whether a player should stay or go, and from a business standpoint the move makes sense. But I personally have been a fan of D Lo since I was 14 years old. He's been a cornerstone in where the franchise is now. I find it hard to believe myself that this day has come. Sure, the writing was on the wall, but it is still painful to see it.
D Will, D Lo, our Memphis Tiger. You will always be remembered fondly for your time here. And I think I can speak for every Panthers fan by saying that we truly wish you good luck in your future endeavors. As previously stated, it's a travesty that you didn't get a ring here. But such is life in the NFL. You were a true Panther. You took your role as it was given to you and kept pounding. You are exactly the kind of player every young rookie should strive to be, you are the kind of player who deserves the fame and fortune the NFL can provide.
I wrote this article with the intention to pay DeAngelo Williams the kind of respect a player of his class and skill level deserves, and I've found myself at a loss for exactly what to say. I sat here for about an hour staring at my computer screen trying to flesh out exactly what I can say that would do him justice, and there simply aren't words for it. Williams has done so much for this franchise and stuck it out when things were tough. He deserves everything he has earned at this level, and I as a fan am forever grateful that I spent the past nine years watching him play. But I will say this. The logo "Keep Pounding" inscribed in every collar of Panthers jerseys is there because of players who fought through the hard times and found a way to win. We didn't get you your ring DeAngelo, but you can be damned sure that when I personally hear the words "Keep Pounding", that you will be one of the first faces I see.
Keep Pounding D Will, and good luck.