08/26 Brandon Williams Feature

RNING TURNING FLOCK A FLOCK INTO INTO FAMILY FAMILY

BRANDON WILLIAMS:

By Megan Boyle

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BALTIMORE RAVENS GAMEDAY

TO ME, THERE ISN’T A BETTER DEFENSIVE TACKLE IN FOOTBALL. – Joe Cullen Defensive Line Coach “Nowadays, you do not see that a lot.

Being able to have a staple in a city, in a team for the long haul is what you want – especially if it is the team that drafted you,” stated Williams.

It’s the end of the 2016 campaign, and players shuffle in and out of the locker room as they clean out their lockers.

Wiping away the remanences from the season, hand-written notes, mementos and articles of clothing are either tucked away in a bag to be carried off or thrown away – signifying a clean slate for whoever will occupy that space next.

“I wanted to come back,” beamed Williams. “I figured I would try to leave hints and kind of speak it into existence and keep everything [in my locker] so they know I am going to be there.”

The lockers all begin to look the same – except for one.

Williams gleefully tweeted, “Raven for life,” after signing a colossal five-year contract to cement his role on Baltimore’s defense and within the organization.

It isn’t empty, rather, it’s filled with belongings: a suit, cleats and sneakers, as if the player is absolutely certain he will return next season. The locker is brimming with life in comparison to some others and captures your attention – just like its owner.

Nose tackle Brandon Williams was a free agent upon 2016’s conclusion. He wasn’t sure if he was going to don the purple and black come 2017, but wanted to make sure the front office knew how he felt about being a Raven – even if it was just a subtle gesture.

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BALTIMORE RAVENS GAMEDAY

Whether general manager Ozzie Newsome or head coach John Harbaugh knew about his “hints” or not, the gesture worked.

Teammate Terrell Suggs describes Williams as a “true Raven” – plain and simple, saying, “It is good to have another Raven stay a Raven.”

“To me, there isn’t a better defensive tackle in football,” expressed defensive line coach Joe Cullen, who has helped the third-round draft pick excel into a dominant force on the line. “We’re really happy he’s here.”

Williams bleeds purple; there’s no doubt about it. He exudes his passion for the game not only on the field, but in the classroom, as well. Assistant defensive line coach Drew Wilkins recalls the first time he met the mammoth defender.

“I remember sitting next to Brandon during his first-ever defensive meeting in rookie minicamp,” noted Wilkins, “and you could tell instantly that he loved football. Despite coming from a small school, he’d be a sponge that would pick up every bit of knowledge thrown his way.”

Even now, in his fifth NFL season, Williams still has that same mentality. He is able to wring out information and help guide fellow teammates, rookies especially.

Williams thinks of the defensive line as his family, and now, as one of the patriarchs, he takes Baltimore’s historic lineage seriously. Like Ravens great Haloti Ngata instilled in him, Williams passes that history along to younger players, taking them under his wing. Just ask defensive tackle Michael Pierce (#97).

“He’s affected me greatly, honestly,” confided Pierce. “He’s definitely like a

big brother to me – somebody I look up to. He’s done amazing things for me, and not only me, but this whole D-line.”

Both are standout players in their positions, so it makes sense the two developed a brotherly bond. “[The Ravens] have such a family-oriented organization,” remarked Williams. “They really press the ‘togetherness’ and ‘family’ [feeling] within the team and the ranks of [Steve] Bisciotti all the way down.”

However, the Missouri native’s family extends beyond the defensive line and spreads throughout the whole team, branching to each player, coach and front office member.

“Brandon has the confidence and sense of humor to make everyone comfortable with him,” added Wilkins. “Around the facility, he’s built relationships with everyone he comes across. Every year, he’ll know all the new interns’ names and where they’re from, and he’s as friendly with our cafeteria workers as he is with his teammates.”

Outside of the football bubble, Williams radiates that same positivity. Charm City simply flocks to this 340-pound bundle of personality. A prominent local magazine recently tabbed him as “Baltimore’s Best Raven” for his philanthropic efforts in the community and for his utter likeability.

When he re-signed with the team in March, Williams voiced his continuing promise to give back to Baltimore, which welcomed him with open arms in 2013.

This promise isn’t just for the duration of his football career, but for long after his playing days are over.

Williams is committed to his team, his community – his family.

And it’s hard not to like him – it really is.

The only instance you might not? If you’re lined up on the other side of the ball.

“You flip a switch,” explained Williams.

“My switch is when I put that helmet on.

I have laser focus, and I play.”

BRANDON HAS THE CONFIDENCE AND SENSE OF HUMOR TO MAKE EVERYONE COMFORTABLE WITH HIM. – Drew Wilkins Assistant Defensive Line Coach