Topic: Pat Williams

Patrick Williams (born October 24, 1972 in Monroe, Louisiana) is an American football defensive tackle for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League. Along with Kevin Williams (no relation), he forms the "Williams Wall." He was signed by the Buffalo Bills as an undrafted free agent in 1997. He played college football at Texas A&M. Williams is a three-time Pro Bowl selection.

After graduating from Wossman High School in Monroe, LA, Williams attended Navarro College, where he was a two-time junior college All-American in 1992 and 1993. He initially transferred to Texas A&M University in 1994, but failed the math portion of a junior-college exit exam and was ruled ineligible for the 1994 season. He transferred again to Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College, where he graduated in 1995, before returning to Texas A&M. Williams earned 2nd-team All-SWC as a junior in 1995 in only 6 starts. He also started 8 games and appeared in 11 as a senior.

Williams went undrafted in the 1997 NFL Draft, and signed with the Buffalo Bills as an undrafted free agent the same year. He played in just one game his rookie season. During the 1998–2000 seasons, he was a regular contributor, but did not become a regular starter until the 2001 season. In 2000, he was named to USA Today’s All-Joe Team, recognizing the NFL’s most "overlooked, ignored and hard-working" players. Williams intercepted his first career pass and returned it 20 yards for a touchdown, picking off Miami Dolphins quarterback A.J. Feeley on December 5, 2004, sealing the win for Buffalo 42-32 and breaking open a 3-point game with 1:55 left to play. Williams was named 2003 winner of the Ed Block Courage Award by his teammates. During his final four seasons with the Bills (2001–2004), he started in all but four games. He became a free agent after the 2004 season.