The Baltimore Ravens used their second round pick to select Maxx Williams, a tight end from Minnesota. Williams decided to make himself eligible for the 2015 NFL Draft after his red shirt sophomore season. The decision to enter the NFL was a tough one but it was an opportunity that Williams could not resist. Becoming a professional football player is something that Williams has always wanted to do. He says that walking through the doors into the Ravens’ facility was “a dream come true.”
“It was a hard decision. It came down to my goals in life, which is to be the best that I can be. To do that, I needed to play in the NFL because it’s the best competition.” Williams said; “I wanted to be like my dad. I know he had a long career.”
The Williams family has their share of athletes. Maxx’s father Brian Williams was drafted in the first round by the New York Giants and played in the NFL for ten years. His grandfather, Robert Williams played quarterback at Notre Dame and was drafted by Chicago in 1959. It doesn’t stop there. Williams’ mother Rochelle played volleyball at the University of Minnesota from 1984-1987 and was named to the Big Ten Medal of Honor in 1988. His uncle also played football for Minnesota and professionally for Barcelona in the World League of American Football.
Having so many athletes in his family had a big influence on Williams’ development as an athlete. “It helps growing up in a house that has two parents that were college athletes. My dad played in the pros and to have them install that work ethic in me from the start.” Williams continued, “They always taught us that we have to work hard for what we want.
That’s what they did for their careers. Just growing up around that, knowing that everything that you do, you do your best and good things happen if you do that. Having my dad as a pro athlete, being able to lean on him when I needed him, it was a great way to grow up and get ready for this moment.”
When asked who the best athlete in his family is, Williams had no problem identifying who it was, “Mom was the best athlete in the family. She was the one who that taught me how to catch, kick and throw the ball. Dad was always gone at practice.”
Once his dad was done playing football, Williams was able to go to him for advice because he had been through it himself. Williams leaned on his father for football advice and just life advice in general. Williams readily identified what he says was the most relevant piece of advice that his father gave him after he was drafted.
”He told me that I am a rookie, I have to go to work and show everyone that I am there for a reason. I have to earn respect by going in, shutting my mouth. He told me to go out there and prove that I can play with them,” Williams said.
Ravens tight ends coach Rich Angulo played in the NFL for a short period of time and is pleased with his new protégé.
“As a tight ends coach, I couldn’t be happier. This guy plays with fire. He makes me excited as a position coach to coach him. I can’t wait to get on the field.” Angulo said.
New offensive coordinator Marc Trestman sees a bright future for Williams, “This is a young guy. He’s only 21 years old and still growing,” he said. “He has a great skill set. He is getting stronger yet he has a skill set that is ready made for this league. We are excited to have him with us.”