Giving back to community important to Jamel Williams

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BY JOHN O'MALLEY
jomalley@nwitimes.com
219.548.4355 | Tuesday, November 13, 2007 | (1 comment(s))

WHERE ARE THEY NOW? | JAMEL WILLIAMS

Even though he hasn't played pro football for more than five years, Jamel Williams still has a football mentality.

In fact, the former Merrillville High School and University of Nebraska star is contemplating playing the game again.

Williams, who lives in Omaha with his wife, Sarah and children Kaden (4), Jackson (21 months) and Bryson (3 months), currently works as an outside sales representative for Fed-Ex Kinkos.

Williams, who was an All-State selection at Merrillville and played on Nebraska's 1994 and '95 national championship teams, said he still works out regularly and is in playing shape.

"I'm entertaining the idea of trying out for the All American Football League,'' the 33-year-old said. "I'm kind of on the fence right now, but we'll see.''

Williams played with the Washington Redskins from 1997-99 and also with the Las Vegas Outlaws of the XFL, before returning to Nebraska to earn his bachelor's degree in communication studies five years ago.

Whether he decides to play football again or not, Williams maintains a busy schedule.

Aside from his sales job, he's heavily involved in the Omaha community. He does work of "Habitat for Humanity,'' where he helps with building homes for needy families.

He also works for the University of Nebraska's ''Breakfast of Champions" and "School Jam" programs, and does some celebrity benefit work at a few of the local high schools.

Additionally, Williams works with Steve Warren, another former Huskers star and his "Dream Foundation" program.

"It's all for a good cause,'' Williams said. "I talk to kids at some of the high school and junior high school programs in terms of helping them get on the right track.''

Williams talks to kids, particularly the underprivileged, about going to college -- not just thinking about it, but making it happen. He informs youngsters about various financial loans, grants and scholarships they can apply for to help get them there.

Williams said he preaches to youngsters about trying to earn academic -- not just athletic -- scholarships. His message to them usually centers around working hard and believing in themselves.

"I enjoy helping in any way I can,'' he said. "I like giving something back to the community. It's fun, it keeps me going and keeps me level-headed and grounded.''

A key performer on a couple of the best ''Blackshirt'' defensive units in school history, the former Huskers strong safety is bothered by the way the team has played this season.

"It's been painful to watch,'' Williams said. "They have a lot of talent, but I think a lot of them are out of position, and because of that, they're out of position to make plays. They've had linebackers guarding slot receivers. I did that as a dime linebacker, but that's a lot different. They also don't make great adjustments at half-time. It looks like a lot of the players are playing not to get hurt.

"Almost everybody is arm-tackling, waving at (ball carriers) and trying to push them out of bounds. It's just not how Nebraska plays defense.''

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Kristofor Gullickson Class of '93 wrote on Nov 13, 2007 1:28 PM:

" Just got out of the Service in 2006. I spent 5 years as a Petty Officer 2nd Class, USN. I did not think I would ever get back to shape. I did though, and trained hard for SAR(Search and Rescue) also considered BUDS...training with people trying for both, It was a 24 hour thing, pushing all negativity aside. I had overcome so much, and never trained harder mentally and physically my whole life. On my own, when everybody does not have the same mindset, you have to percivere. I was always attacked by feeble minded people, trying to ruin my career. That is another story. I had done countless hours of community service and also obtained a degree from Vincennes University. It was hard work, I will be back to that magical place again, "In the Zone" or "Shangri La" so to speak. I think a man like Jamel knows where these places are, they have no physical boundaries, but are places we all have in our hearts and minds....I hope that everybody can rally around Jamel...whatever his mission in life is to be. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK Jamel......Somebody will be there, always...GO FOR IT!!!!!!! "

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