Jan. 26, 2006
Cullowhee, N.C. - Former Western Carolina defensive back Willie Williams (1990-92) will be making his second appearance on the National Football League's (NFL) biggest stage when the Pittsburgh Steelers face the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XL on Sunday, Feb. 5.
Ironically, Williams is the only Steeler that played in the last Super Bowl Pittsburgh participated in, falling to the Dallas Cowboys during the 1995-96 season (Super Bowl XXX). Also, in a strange twist of fate, Williams spent seven seasons as a corner back with the Seattle Seahawks (1997-2003) between his stints with the Steelers.
All told, since Williams became the first Catamount to play in a Super Bowl, Western Carolina has had at least one alum in seven of the last 11 Super Bowls from 1996-2006. Other Catamounts to play in the Super Bowl includes Tony Jones, who won two titles with the Broncos in 1998 & '99; David Patten, who was part of three titles with the New England Patriots in 2002, '04-05; and Brad Hoover, who lost to Patten and the Patriots in 2004.
Leading up to Super Bowl XXX in 1996, Williams, who was a sixth-round draft pick of the Steelers in 1993, led the American Football Conference (AFC) and ranked third in the NFL with seven interceptions. Also that season, he was named AFC Defensive Player of the Month after recording 27 tackles and three interceptions. He finished that season by posting a career high 77 tackles. Williams started all three postseason games at left cornerback, including Super Bowl XXX. He led the secondary with 15 tackles in the postseason, including a touchdown-saving stop in the AFC Championship Game and five tackles versus Dallas in the Super Bowl.
Williams was a three-year starter at Western Carolina, earning first-team All-Southern Conference honors in 1992 after recording 62 tackles and one interception. He was additionally a two-time, second-team pick (1990 & '91). He had a single-season bests of 87 tackles as a junior and three interceptions as a sophomore, finishing his WCU career with 217 tackles, 41 passes defended, six interceptions, six tackles for loss and a sack. Williams left Western as its record holder among defensive backs in total tackles and passes defended.
For more information in Williams and the Steelers, click the following:
Willie Williams Bio
The Official Website of the Pittsburgh Steelers
Western Carolina Catamounts in the Super Bowl
Super Bowl XXX (1996) Willie Williams, starting CB, Pittsburgh Steelers
(lost to the Dallas Cowboys)
Super Bowl XXXII (1998) Tony Jones, starting OL, Denver Broncos
(defeated the Green Bay Packers)
Super Bowl XXXIII (1999) Tony Jones, starting OL, Denver Broncos
(defeated the Atlanta Falcons)
Super Bowl XXXVI (2002) David Patten, starting WR, New England Patriots
(defeated the St. Louis Rams)
Super Bowl XXXVII (2004) David Patten, WR, New England Patriots
(defeated the Carolina Panthers)
Brad Hoover, starting FB, Carolina Panthers
(lost to the New England Patriots)
Super Bowl XXXIX (2005) David Patten, WR, New England Patriots
(defeated the Philadelphia Eagles)
Super Bowl XL (2006) Willie Williams, CB, Pittsburgh Steelers
(play Seattle Seahawks)
