Former Toledo wide receiver Stephen Williams made his professional debut with the Cardinals last Saturday as Arizona beat the Houston Texans 19-16. Williams and the Cardinals play in Tennessee against the Titans tonight on ESPN’s Monday Night Football at 8 p.m.
“The first game was surreal,” Williams said. “To put on an NFL jersey and to walk in an NFL stadium, it’s just a once in a lifetime moment.
“I was more excited than nervous. Up until then I was focused. I had a good training camp. I was more excited to get out there and see what I can do.”
Williams tied for the team-high with two receptions and finished second on the team with 29 yards receiving. He also had more targets (3) than all but one Cardinal, not including two targets on two separate Arizona two-point conversion attempts.
“I’ve been showcasing my skills since the OTAs and minicamps and just being consistent in training camp, so I believe a lot of players, especially the quarterbacks, have the confidence in me to make plays,” Williams said.
“I’d give myself a pretty good grade [against Houston],” Williams said. “I got up and caught the ball in traffic, I held on to the ball, I didn’t miss any assignments and blocked well so it was a really good game—especially for my first performance in the NFL.”
His play so far in Arizona has drawn praise from head coach Ken Whisenhunt, who said after the win over the Texans that Williams had gone undrafted because “he was meant to come to us.”
“I know we really liked him and that it was important when he didn’t get drafted to get him here as a free agent,” Whisenhunt added. “Even with all that, he has exceeded those expectations.”
“It was a good feeling [to see Whisenhunt’s comments],” Williams said. “It showed that I wouldn’t be better off getting drafted with the first pick, the last or a free agent. You have to come in to the NFL and prove yourself not only to your coaches but to your teammates. It’s good just to be recognized.”
If playing in your first NFL game wasn’t enough, Williams’ debut came against his hometown of Houston’s team, albeit still in Arizona.
“My family was excited to see my first game at home in Houston,” Williams said. “They were [together] watching, sitting down with the popcorn and barbeque and everything.”
Williams has avoided most of the rookie hazing that has been prevalent in the NFL so far, but said he has still not escaped it completely.
“I’m just carrying pads and bringing candy into the locker room and to the meeting room,” Williams said. “Nothing too crazy just kind of the normal stuff.”
Through it all, Williams has been able to accomplish one of his biggest lifetime goals.
“I finally got a catch in an NFL game,” Williams said. “Not many people can say that.”
is a member of the 
Be the first to comment on this article!