D. J. Williams

Genos Derwin "D. J." Williams Jr. (born July 20, 1982) is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker for 11 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at the University of Miami and was selected by the Denver Broncos in the first round of the 2004 NFL draft in the National Football League (NFL). He also played two seasons for the Chicago Bears.

Early life Williams, born and raised in Sacramento, California, lived with family in the Bay Area during high school. Williams did this in order to play high school football at Concord, California's De La Salle High School. He earned USA Today Defensive Player of the Year honors as a senior and was regarded as the top defensive player nationally. He compiled 130 tackles (87 solo) and rushed for 1,974 yards, six sacks, five forced fumbles, three fumbles recoveries. On offense, he broke the school record for touchdowns in a season with 42 (33 rushing, five receiving, three punt return and one kickoff return).

College career Williams started his collegiate career at the University of Miami at fullback due to a logjam at the linebacker position. Although he was used sparingly in his freshman year in 2000, he recorded 18 career rushes for 142 yards (7.9 avg.) with two touchdowns while catching 12 passes for 143 yards over his career.

Denver Broncos 2004 Williams was selected by the Denver Broncos in the first round (17th overall) of the 2004 NFL draft. Williams emerged as one of the league's top linebackers. Although an early candidate for Defensive Rookie of the Year, the award went to then-New York Jets linebacker Jonathan Vilma.

2005 Williams was moved from his weak-side linebacker position to strong-side linebacker following the Broncos signing of Ian Gold. He finished with 55 tackles (39 solo) while adding three pass deflections and one forced fumble. Williams also contributed two tackles and a forced fumble on special teams. with 141 tackles (106 solo) along with one sack and one interception.

As a result of the arrest, the Denver Broncos fined Williams and demoted him from defensive co-captain. It was also announced that he would not start the Week 10 match-up against AFC West rivals the Kansas City Chiefs.

2012 In March 2012, Williams was suspended for six games after failing a mandatory league drug test. Wesley Woodyard replaced Williams at linebacker. Williams' suspension was extended by three games by the NFL.

Williams was released by the Broncos on March 11, 2013.

Chicago Bears 2013 On March 22, 2013, the Chicago Bears signed Williams to a one-year contract. In week six against the New York Giants, Williams ruptured his pectoral tendon. He was placed on injured reserve on October 18. Williams was a free agent after 2013, but re-signed with the Bears to a one-year deal on March 11, 2014.

NFL statistics Years Team GP COMB SOLO AST SACK FF FR FR YDS INT IR YDS AVG IR LNG IR TD PD 2004 DEN 16 114 81 33 2.0 1 0 0 1 10 10 10 0 7 2005 DEN 16 55 39 16 0.0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 2006 DEN 16 76 59 17 1.0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2007 DEN 16 141 106 35 1.0 2 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 5 2008 DEN 11 93 68 25 2.5 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2009 DEN 16 122 100 22 3.5 3 2 8 0 0 0 0 0 7 2010 DEN 16 119 94 25 5.5 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 2011 DEN 13 90 70 20 5.0 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2012 DEN 7 14 10 4 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2013 CHI 6 27 19 8 2.0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2014 CHI 12 46 30 16 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Career 145 897 676 221 22.5 14 7 0 2 10 5 10 0 38