Before he was a standout corner and safety in the NFL, Aeneas Williams was a walk-on at Southern University.
In fact, he went to college not to play football but to be an accountant.
It wasn’t until he was a junior that Williams decided to suit up and then played for three seasons.
By the time he graduated, Williams was a bona fide ballhawk who set conference records for interceptions in a season.
Following his graduation and 20 career picks, Williams was a third-round pick by the Arizona Cardinals in 1991.
During his decade in the desert, the Cards made the playoffs only once.
Arizona Cardinals, time to retire Aeneas Williams number pic.twitter.com/XsUDGMPl9a
— Retired Numbers Sports Talk (@RetireNumbers) October 25, 2023
That didn’t stop number 35 from getting recognized as an All-Pro four times and traveling to the Pro Bowl six times as a member of the Arizona secondary.
In 2001, he was traded to the St. Louis Rams and started all 16 games as the franchise advanced to its second Super Bowl in three years (albeit a loss).
After the 2004 season, Williams hung up his cleats for good and eventually became a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
He has since become a church founder and pastor in Missouri.
This is the story of Aeneas Williams.
Learning the Game
Aeneas Demetrius Williams was born on January 29, 1968, in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Happy Birthday Aeneas Williams,Southern University; 795 tackles,55 interceptions, 13 TD’s, 8X Pro Bowl,4X 1st Team All Pro,90’s All Decade Team, Cardinals Ring Of Honor, Member Professional Football Hall of Fame; 51 Today… pic.twitter.com/LRAKhXLnDl
— Larry in Missouri (@LarryInMissouri) January 29, 2019
For Aeneas, the road to the NFL began with his two older brothers, Malcolm and Achilles.
The Williams brothers enjoyed playing sports at an early age, and their talent shone on the gridiron.
Aeneas in particular started playing ball in elementary school at Harrell Park.
It was at Harrell that Williams started learning the tools that would carry him far as a football player.
“When we were able to get away and come to the park, and do what I loved doing, which was football, this was a safe place, and no matter what was going on outside this park, Coach [Elton] Mims and these coaches did a tremendous job of helping us develop character and discipline, right here on this field,” Williams said in 2014.
When it came time to play at Woodson Junior High, Williams was stuck behind an already talented roster, but he used the time to continue getting better.
“Woodson was so rich in talent, I hardly played,” Williams said. “Any skill I learned at Fortier was continued on from Harrell and Woodson, and that was toughness, what it took to be tenacious as relates to being a leader and setting the tone as the type of player you want to be known as.”
Standout at Fortier High School
Williams already had good leaders at home in his parents and brothers.
Lawrence and Lillian Williams taught their boys not only to lead on the playing fields, but in the classroom as well.
At Forcier High School, Aeneas had future NFL players Kevin Lewis and Maurice Hurst to look up to.
“They were leaders, and I learned from them and the example they set,” Williams said. “My senior year, I became a leader.”
In 1985, the Tarpons were one of the best teams in Louisiana, posting a 12-1 overall record and winning its division title.
#35 DAYS UNTIL LOUISIANA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL IS BACK!!
– NFL HALL OF FAME
– 8X Pro-Bowl
– 5X All-Pro
From Alcee Fortier High School (NOLA), Aeneas Williams! He played college ball for Southern and played in the NFL from 1991-2004.GREATNESS starts in #LAHSFB
📸: JB Forbes) pic.twitter.com/LjCKCNuy4W— Louisiana Football Report #LAHSFB (@LAFBReport) July 26, 2018
By then, Williams was an All-District safety who had a reputation for laying the wood to opponents.
“Aeneas brought toughness to that team,” Coach Alfred Levy said. “He was a smart player, and he really brought it with his hitting. I remember that he was always smiling, no matter what. He was like a silent assassin.”
Levy remarked years later that Williams led by example during the state playoff push.
Against Brother Martin High School and Booker T. Washington High School, Aeneas made huge plays that helped the Tarpons advance.
“He walked up to the line of scrimmage, and Brother Martin handed the ball off,” Levy said. “Aeneas made a huge hit, and it just gave our whole team a big lift. A lot of people didn’t think we’d win that game, but we did.”
Walking on at Southern
Fortier High School’s postseason run ended against state power John Ehret High School.
Despite Williams’ good grades and stellar play, he was not offered a scholarship, although Dartmouth College was interested in him.
Instead, Aeneas decided to matriculate at Southern University, where Achilles was already a student.
“Aeneas had physical gifts, always understood the mental aspect of the game in whatever sport he played, and you weren’t going to outwork him,” said Achilles. “But in our house, not getting a football scholarship was no big deal. My father had gone to Southern, and all along it was expected that he would follow me there, excel academically and become successful as a professional.”
For the next two years, Williams took classes in accounting and did not play sports.
That changed before his junior year through the effort of his friends and some Divine Intervention.
“My story is a story of potential, and it’s going after my heart’s desire. And even though it made no sense to walk on the football team my junior year, when I was already on pace to graduate with my degree in accounting in three years, I followed by heart, because I believe that’s how God speaks to people,” Williams commented in 2014.
Only one week before the beginning of the 1988 football season, Williams exited the Southern University library.
#SULegends | Aeneas Demetrius Williams @aeneas35 was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2014 after 14 season in the National Football League as a former cornerback and safety primarily with the Arizona Cardinals franchise. pic.twitter.com/pRAGlgBc0c
— Southern University Jaguars (@SouthernUsports) February 2, 2022
The smell of fall was in the air, and he suddenly decided the time was right to return to the field.
He walked over to the football office and soon after became a walk-on for the Jaguars.
All-Conference
Williams began the Jaguars’ 1988 season on special teams before cracking the starting lineup as a cornerback in the fifth game of the year.
As Southern went 7-4, he shook off the rust of a two-year absence from the sport and intercepted two passes.
In 1989, as the Jags went 6-4-1, Williams snagged no less than seven interceptions (which led the conference) and was selected for the All-Southwestern Athletic Conference squad.
During a game against rival Jackson State that year, he picked off a pass and returned it 57 yards for the game-winning score.
Black History | Paving The Way | Southern Legend | Aeneas Williams #GoJags #OnDaProwl pic.twitter.com/ijjECM5Mxk
— Wayne Cordova (@coachcordova) February 20, 2019
It was after that contest that the idea of playing in the NFL seemed plausible when play-by-play man Lem Barney (a former pro himself) told Williams he could make it.
“Until then,” said his mom, Lillian, “we hadn’t given it a thought.”
In 1990, Williams returned to the Jaguars as a fifth-year senior.
Although Southern regressed with a 4-7 record, Williams tried to win every contest single-handedly.
By the end of the season, he had intercepted 11 passes and tied the Division I-AA (now the FCS) record for most picks in a season.
He was named All-Conference again and chosen as the Black College All-American Defensive Player of the Year.
During his three-year run at Southern, Williams picked off 20 passes and broke up 28 total passes.
In 2008, he was inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame, the Greater New Orleans Sports Hall of Fame in 2010 and the Black College Football Hall of Fame in 2016.
Jackson State’s Kam Sallis earns this week’s Aeneas Williams Award HBCU DB of the Week after posting 5 tackles and a clutch INT before halftime that fueled the Tigers’ 38-13 win over Southern. #HBCUsBestDB pic.twitter.com/zxqZ4wk4yI
— Paycom Jim Thorpe Award (@jimthorpeaward) September 30, 2025
The Historically Black Colleges and Universities, in conjunction with the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame and the Jim Thorpe Association, established a new award in 2023.
The Aeneas Williams Award is now given annually to the best defensive back at an HBCU.
Third Round Pick
Williams may have started his college career late, but he displayed such fantastic instincts in the secondary that NFL teams took note.
With the 59th overall selection in the third round of the 1991 NFL Draft, the then-Phoenix Cardinals picked the 5’11, 200-pound corner from Southern.
On this day in 1991, we selected Hall of Famer Aeneas Williams with the 59th pick in the #NFLDraft. pic.twitter.com/3elHUuV14D
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) April 22, 2020
At the time, the Cards had a solid secondary unit that included former Chicago Bear Dave Duerson, corners Lorenzo Lynch and Robert Massey, and safeties Mike Zordich and Tim McDonald.
Although top-heavy at the position, Williams walked in and became a starter at corner.
During his rookie year, the Cards went 4-12 under coach Joe Bugel, but Williams started 15 games, intercepted six passes and had 48 tackles.
“That’s just like Aeneas,” said Arizona middle linebacker Eric Hill in 1997. “Nothing about this guy is normal.”
In 1992, Phoenix won four games for the second year in a row while Williams had 48 tackles again and three picks.
"Aeneas Williams is definitely one of the greatest to ever play this game."@NFLFilms' "A Football Life: @aeneas35" airs TONIGHT on @NFLNetwork. #BeRedSeeRed pic.twitter.com/989g2fnouj
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) December 8, 2017
The following season, the Cards went 7-9 and Williams had 42 tackles, two interceptions including a pick-six and a fumble return for a score.
Both his scores came during a Halloween contest against the New Orleans Saints.
Pro Bowler
Following the 1993 NFL season, Phoenix was re-branded as the Arizona Cardinals.
The franchise took the opportunity to also fire Bugel and hire former Philadelphia Eagles head coach Buddy Ryan.
Arizona Cardinals Mount Rushmore, according to @LockedOnAZCards host @ClancysCorner.
Larry Fitzgerald
Dan Dierdorf
Aeneas Williams
Patrick PetersonDo you agree? pic.twitter.com/VupqU6JZRJ
— Locked On Arizona Cardinals (@lockedonazcards) July 11, 2025
Williams was excited to learn from Ryan and his son, Rob, Arizona’s new defensive backs coach.
During training camp in 1994, Rob Ryan challenged the fourth-year pro.
“As soon as Rob Ryan got the job, his dad, Buddy Ryan, was the head coach,” Aeneas said in 2014. “Rob put his arms around me like I’m doing with Dale. He says, ‘Aeneas you can lead this league in interceptions. I saw you do it your senior year in college,’ because I led the nation with 11. And that was the first year, I made all-pro, I made the Pro Bowl and I led the league in interceptions.”
With Ryan’s encouragement, Williams indeed co-led the NFL (along with Cleveland safety Eric Turner) with nine interceptions.
Happy 53rd bday Aeneas Williams! The Hall of Famer was an 8x Pro Bowler. Led NFL with 9 interceptions in 1994. Had 55 career & returned 9 for touchdowns. Had 6 more interceptions & 2 touchdowns in only 6 career playoff games! Had 23 fumble recoveries & 3 touchdowns. pic.twitter.com/SA1qsJd9OD
— Scott F (@TheFrizz87) January 29, 2021
He was selected as a second-team All-Pro and for his first Pro Bowl as Arizona improved to 8-8.
The Cardinals sank to 4-12 in 1995, and Williams had 62 tackles, six interceptions and two pick-sixes (which led the league).
Another Pro Bowl and a first-team All-Pro selection awaited him after the season.
Arizona Makes the Playoffs
Buddy Ryan didn’t last long in the desert.
Owner Bill Bidwell gave him the boot and hired former Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Vince Tobin as the new Cards head coach.
Arizona won 11 total games in 1996 and 1997 while Williams had a career-high 77 total tackles, a sack, six interceptions and another pick-six in ‘96.
It's been 34 years since we drafted Hall of Famer Aeneas Williams to the #BirdGang
What's your fav Aeneas memory?? pic.twitter.com/COMApNwXAl
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) April 21, 2025
The following year, he had six interceptions and two more interceptions returned for touchdowns.
Both seasons brought him All-Pro and Pro Bowl nods.
“For most guys who try that [press coverage], it’s just a matter of time before somebody runs by them,” said Arizona defensive backs coach Larry Marmie. “So you line up off of receivers and give them the short pass. But Aeneas isn’t interested in that. He wants to take away everything.”
At long last, Williams and the Cards experienced playoff football in 1998 with a 9-7 record.
It was the organization’s first postseason appearance since 1982, when the Birds were in St. Louis.
In the wild-card round against the Dallas Cowboys, Williams snagged two throws by Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman.
January 10, 1999
° 1998 NFC DIVISIONAL °After #Cardinals corner Aeneas Williams had "declared war" on the #Vikings receivers prior to the game, Minnesota makes short work of Arizona at the Metrodome, 41-21.
Randall Cunningham throws three touchdowns to lead a balanced attack,… pic.twitter.com/r6Cx2P8B4B
— Kevin Gallagher (@KevG163) January 10, 2025
The victory was the franchise’s first playoff win since 1964, although Arizona’s run ended the following week against the Minnesota Vikings.
Trade to St. Louis
Unfortunately, the Cards couldn’t sustain their playoff success and won just nine games total in 1999 and 2000.
Meanwhile, Williams had seven more interceptions total (including five in 2000).
Also in 2000, he returned a fumble 104 yards for a touchdown in Week 10 against the Washington Redskins.
We were looking for a new stadium, and needed a vote to get it. Maybe Aeneas Williams’ record-tying fumble return and our upset of Washington wasn’t the reason it passed, but you never know.#CardsFolktales '104 Yards, Victory and a Vote' premieres on Nov. 3 on YouTube. pic.twitter.com/INo2SadN8P
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) October 30, 2021
His score tied former Oakland Raiders safety Jack Tatum for the longest such score in NFL history.
Somehow, the record didn’t lead to a Pro Bowl or All-Pro selection that year.
Following the ‘00 season, Williams was chosen as the NFL’s Bart Starr Award recipient for outstanding character at home and on the field.
By February 2001, the Cards and Williams couldn’t come to an agreement on a contract extension.
4/21/01 – During the #NFL Draft, the AZ Cardinals traded CB Aeneas Williams (33) to the StL Rams for a 2nd Rd. pick (54th: CB Michael Stone) and a 4th Rd pick (123rd: K Bill Gramática). Aeneas's 46INTs were #2 and 6 pick-6s, #1 in AZ-history. He never missed a game (162). pic.twitter.com/ca7TMOFmDn
— Arizona Sports History (@AZSportsHistory) April 21, 2024
Two months later, he was traded to the St. Louis Rams in exchange for two draft picks.
“Aeneas deserves the opportunity to go on,” Cardinal General Manager Bob Ferguson said. “We’re going to miss him greatly.”
The Rams then signed Williams to a three-year $14.70 million extension.
Trip to the Super Bowl
In 2001, St. Louis was just two years removed from coming out of nowhere and winning Super Bowl XXXIV.
The Rams were still loaded, and Williams’s new secondary mates included rookies Adam Archuleta and Nick Sorensen, and veterans Dre Bly, Kim Herring and Dexter McCleon.
He might have been new to the organization, but Williams started at left corner, netting two pick-sixes (which led the NFL) and 73 combined tackles.
“His preparation is unbelievable,” cornerback Dre Bly said. “I can see Aeneas coaching when he finishes playing because he knows a lot about the game, and he studies the game a lot.”
A seventh Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro awaited him after the season.
Williams’ veteran leadership helped pave the way to a 14-2 record (tops in franchise history) and wins against Green Bay and Philadelphia in the postseason.
Aeneas Williams intercepts a pass from Donovan McNabb in the NFC title game, which secured a #STLRams spot in Super Bowl XXXVI.
Listen to that Edward Jones Dome crowd. 👂⬆️ pic.twitter.com/O8BLD4N0RD
— St. Louis Rams History (@STLRamsHistory) October 7, 2024
During the playoffs, Williams contributed three interceptions and two pick-sixes.
“Nothing against the rest of the players,” defensive coordinator Lovie Smith said. “Not only has Aeneas had a career year, but he’s also our leader. It’s hard to imagine us making a leap like that without him.”
Next up was a date against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XXXVI, which just happened to be scheduled in Williams’ hometown of New Orleans.
20 Years Ago Today
Super Bowl XXXVIAdam Vinatieri hits a 48-yard field goal as time expires to give the #Patriots their first Super Bowl title — the only Super Bowl decided on the final play of regulation.
The final play ever called by the iconic Pat Summerall-John Madden duo pic.twitter.com/zWvw5ZpAFw
— Kevin Gallagher (@KevG163) February 3, 2022
“To have that opportunity to do it in front of your hometown in the Superdome, where I sold popcorn, peanuts and Coke, where I played high school and college games, is great,” Williams said. “This is familiar territory for me.”
Williams played well during the contest with eight total tackles, but the Rams came up short, 20-17, when Pats kicker Adam Vinatieri kicked a 48-yard field goal as time expired.
Williams Retires
St. Louis slipped up in 2002 with a 7-9 record.
Williams also missed games due to injury for the first time in his career, but still hauled in an interception.
The Rams got back on track in 2003 at 12-4 while Williams (now playing safety) returned full-time and had four picks and a fumble return for a score.
On this day in St. Louis Rams history, STL clinched a playoff birth with their 26-20 win over the Browns on Monday night football. Aeneas Williams had two interceptions in a 24-second span during the first half– the first was a 46-yard pick 6. (December 8, 2003) #stlrams pic.twitter.com/FXtQMbEnH0
— St. Louis Rams History (@STLRamsHistory) December 8, 2022
That brought him Pro Bowl number eight.
In 2004, Williams started 10 times and bagged 48 tackles and broke up two passes for the 8-8 Rams.
He spent the final three games of the year on injured reserve and then retired in early 2005.
During his 14-year career, Williams had 793 combined tackles, three sacks, 11 forced fumbles, 23 fumble recoveries for 268 return yards (all-time NFL record) and three touchdowns, 48 passes defended and 55 interceptions for 807 return yards and nine pick-sixes.
His 104-yard fumble return for a touchdown still co-leads the NFL all-time.
Also, between 1991 and 2002, Williams never missed a game, a remarkable feat for a defensive back.
Williams was an eight-time Pro Bowler, five-time All-Pro, NFL co-leader in interceptions once and was named to the PFWA All-Rookie team in 1991.
Years later, he would be added to the Cardinals’ Ring of Honor and the Rams’ 10th Anniversary Team.
With two Gr8. 49ers! Thanks Jerry & Ronnie! pic.twitter.com/80FmwN2Wa6
— Aeneas Williams (@aeneas35) August 8, 2015
In 2014, Williams was inducted into the St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
“To know the journey, and to know from Southern University, I-AA, and to hear my name called, my wife and I, when we were in New York, as soon as we heard it, I’m smiling just like I’m smiling right now,” said Williams after the announcement.
Pastor Williams
During his pro career, Williams was not only known for his fantastic play on the field.
He was also a team leader who shared the gospel with his teammates.
“Aeneas is like clergy,” said Cardinals fullback Larry Centers in 1997.
When he was with the Cards, Williams and his wife, Tracy, hosted a Bible study every Tuesday night for fellow players and their spouses.
This week, along with @Centene, Xavier University of Louisiana (@XULA1925) and @Fund2F, we are hosting our annual Community Health and Wellness Festival in #NewOrleans!@ProFootballHOF's Pastor Aeneas Williams (@aeneas35), New Orleans native and @QueenSugarOWN actress… pic.twitter.com/d81eIJzFcR
— NMQF (@NMQF) June 27, 2023
Five years after his retirement, Williams became a pastor at The Spirit Church in St. Ann, Missouri, outside of St. Louis.
When the Ferguson riots erupted in 2014, the mayor of the city asked Williams to help the city heal, which the former NFL player did by jumping in with both feet.
“When everything happened, that’s when our congregation knew we were in the place we’re supposed to be,” Williams said. “At the right time, for the right reason.”
References
https://oklahomasportshalloffame.org
https://www.profootballhof.com
https://www.pro-football-reference.com
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