Former NFL star to speak at local schools as part of lecture series

Wally Williams

Former NFL star Wally Williams, who played for the Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens and New Orleans Saints during his 10-season playing career, will be the keynote speaker at Corbin, Williamsburg and Whitley County schools Thursday and Friday as part of the Win 1 Way lecture series.

"Wally Williams is a very, very  influential person. He is a person, who has led by example," said Whitley County Coroner Andy Croley, who organizes and sponsors the lecture series.

Williams message is about what you do when you get knocked down and how you get up, Croley said.

"That is really important. We are all going to get knocked down. It is just basically how we get up," Croley said. "He is a good motivational speaker and travels all over the country speaking. We are just lucky to have him here."

Williams played college ball at Florida A&M University and started his NFL career when he was signed as a free agent for the then Cleveland Browns in 1993.

After three seasons, the team moved to Baltimore and changed its name to the Ravens. Williams went with the team and played three more seasons. During his final season with the Ravens in 1998, he was designated as the team’s franchise player.

After that, Williams signed a contract with the New Orleans Saints where he played another four seasons.

Since his retirement, Williams has been involved in several school organizations and civic groups. For the last seven years he has worked as a broadcaster in the Baltimore area working in both radio and television helping to provide coverage and analysis of the football team.

"It’s good to be around the game and kind of be a mentor to some of these young guys who are coming in the league," Williams said during a telephone interview Tuesday afternoon.

Williams encourages people to lead by example.

"You have to understand the importance of where you are in your position and to lead first that is something I’ve had to endure," he said. "You don’t make the right decisions all the time, but you lead with the same passion and understanding. I haven’t got it all figured out yet. I’m still learning it."

One portion of Williams speech will focus on what he calls the three ‘P’s, plan, patience and persevere.

"You have to plan for your future. You have to be patient and wait for things to evolve and ultimately you will get knocked down in some kind of way, fashion or form. Perseverance has always been there for me," Williams added.

He hopes people, particularly young people, can take something from his speech and implement it into their own lifestyles.

Williams will be speaking to Corbin Middle School and Corbin High School Thursday morning, and will be addressing Williamsburg High School at 1:30 p.m. Thursday.

Friday morning, he will address Whitley County High School at 8 a.m. before flying back to Baltimore.

Croley said he was pleased with the success of the first Win 1 Way event in September, and hopes to build on that.

"When Clayton Holmes was here, it was something that the kids really enjoyed," Croley said. "He has talked to a few of the kids, who may have had some similar issues that he was having growing up with and was able to help them."

While Holmes story was one of redemption and learning to cope with adversity, Williams story is about leading by example.

Croley said that the Win 1 Way program is designed to help young people make better decisions.

"The message is surrounding yourself with smart people. By surrounding yourself with smart people, you make smart decisions," Croley said. "If you surround yourself with smart kids you are going to make smart decisions. If you surround yourself with kids, who make good grades, then it is going to rub off. Good habits make good people."