Philadelphia Eagles Wide Receiver Dom Williams Talks About his Perspective Of The Superbowl Run From Injured Reserve
Photo Credit – Focus Sports Agency
Focus Sports Agency client Philadelphia Wide Receiver Dom Williams is a second-year player out Washington State University.
The 6-2, 200-pound Williams was named to the All- Pac-12 Honorable mention team after his senior year at Washington State University in 2015. He would go on to catch 75 passes for 1,040 yards and 11 touchdowns in his final season in a Cougar uniform. He also finished his collegiate career ranked second all-time in school history with (2,889 receiving yards), second in (30 touchdown catches) and third (192 in receptions).
Dom Williams signed with the Chargers as a rookie free agent upon the conclusion of the 2016 NFL Draft. He spent his rookie year on the San Diego Chargers’ practice squad after leading the team with ten catches for 132 yards in the preseason.
Before the start of his second season, Williams suffered an Achilles injury that sidelined him for the entire season and landed him on the Philadelphia Eagles injured reserve list. The second-year wideout shares his story and gives us some insight into what happens to players that are on the practice squad and injured reserve and during the season. Here is what he had to say, “Usually, I get up around 6 O’clock am and prepare breakfast. Then I will head down to the facility and do a quick run or workout before doing anything rigorous. At 11 AM I am in rehab protocol for about an hour to an hour and a half. After my rehab session is over, I would check out what is happening on the practice field as far as, drills and media. Finally, I would leave to get a full work out in and follow that up with a yoga class to relax the body.” Said Williams.
He would later break down the difference between being on the Practice squad in comparison to the main roster and how many roster spots are on the practice squad. ‘The only significant difference between playing on the practice squad compared to the main roster is you are not able to play in team games during the regular season and playoffs. Also, there are only ten practice squad spots for each of the 32 teams in the National Football League, and it is very competitive.” –
Most of the practice squad spots are assigned to linemen because recurring injuries that involve those position throughout the season. Then the other positions are for your third string quarterbacks and other position players.
There is a huge difference you do not get the opportunity to receive the player performance checks, which factors into how many plays you participate throughout each game. Usually, I want to say it around ten grand after taxes. Others on the main roster might be receiving 20k to 30k a week, but everyone on each team works hard to achieve the goal of making the main roster. Said Williams
If you are playing in games, it’s between 5 and 10 percent than if you were playing in a game. Let take Carson Wentz, for instance; he was actively playing for 13 weeks collecting 1,271,370.23 as an active member of Eagles roster. Once he tore his ACL and was placed on injured reserve, he lost between $249, 383.71 and $498,767.44. This is what would Carson have made if he played all the remaining three games at a 5 percent loss ($1,413,174.42) or a 10 percent loss (1,163,790.71). Dom Williams did not play at all last season at 5 % (-$24,250.00) loss of he made $460,750 and 10 % (48,500.00) lost made 412,250.00.
How did you feel being on the IR and knowing your team had the potential to win the Superbowl?
I was injured at the beginning of training camp, and I was at home rehabbing for the first month. Watching the practices and seeing my teammates interact with each other, once I was able to return to the facility gave me that hunger and competitive spirit to want to get back out on the field. I just felt that this team had something unique and at the start of the season we began winning one game at a time.
Do you feel the team rallied more around Carson Wentz going down after tearing ACL or was there just a positive vibe before the injury?
I do not think the vibe the team changed after Carson went down with his injury. We still had to approach the situation like professionals and rally around Nick Foles. Carson going down was a significant blow to the team, but we could not lose focus on the goal which was winning the Superbowl.
Can you talk about the parade process the day of the celebration?
It was amazing! We arrived at 8:40 AM and ate breakfast at the training facility and began talking amongst ourselves. As a team, we started loading the buses around 11 AM. The crowd came out in droves as number go there had to be over 4 million people at the parade. In total there were 17 double-deckers buses, and we were able to interact with the Eagles fans.
When did the team decide to start using Dreams and Nightmares by Meek Mill as the theme song?
To be honest, it was just something that was always playing and us as the team being underdogs it just felt right. Meek is a representative of the city and it some a track that help us prepare for the task at hand, and it just took off from there.
You were a part of the Philadelphia Eagles Superbowl winning team, but you were unable to watch the game from the sidelines. Can you describe this process?
Well basically, we had to use our complimentary tickets and sit in the stands to watch the game. It was kind of sad because you want to be on the field helping uplifted your teammates on the sideline, but as a professional, I understand the process.
Photo Credit – Focus Sports Agency
Is this the process for just the Superbowl or something that is done throughout the playoffs?
This is the process throughout the entire duration of the playoffs
Have you about your investment planning to help secure your future after football?
Yes, I have, and I plan on investing in some real estate properties in Arizona. Also, I have been in contact with some contact in the FBI, because I majored in Criminal Justice. I am just trying to prepare myself for life after football whenever the time comes and pursuing a career in the FBI interests me.
What are some other business interests outside the game of football?
I would love to go back to college and coach being able to be a positive influence on the next generation. I want them to know that they can make it to the next leave if they are dedicated to their craft. I was not the biggest or the fastest individual on the field, but it is something that I wanted, and I worked hard to achieve. This is what I want to instill in these young kids and inspire them to chase their dreams.
What are some of the things you wished that you were told before entering the NFL?
Not to worry some much about the business side of the NFL. ‘I am lucky enough to be part of the one percent that made it, and when I was with the Chargers last season, I was focused on how things were going to get paid. Instead of focusing on just having fun and that is something I am doing now.’
How have veterans like Phillip Rivers, Antonio Gates, and Alshon Jeffery helped you prepare to succeed at this level?
Last year River and Gates helped me by learning how to be in the right spot along with timing. I consider myself a student of the game’ and being able to watch Phillip out there breaking down the defensive. He is aware of what the opposing scheme is before they run the play and Antonio Gates is a for sure Hall of Famer. Just the way he ran his routes and his ability to get open downfield to make plays are incredible. ‘I am just trying to incorporate that into my game and last year was a major transition for me. The NFL is a lot faster than college, and they both help with the transition process as far as the playbook and proper techniques.
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About the Author
Landon Buford Washington State Graduate Past Interviews include Grammy Award Winner Kenny G, David Banner, WNBA President Lisa Borders, What's Trending's CEO Shira Lazar, Ice Cube, NBC's Chicago PD LaRoyce Hawkins, Family Matters Darius McCrary, En Vogues Maxine Jones, Team USA Track & Field Member Norris Frederick, James Kyson, WNBA Great Lauren Jackson, and more.
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