Cadillac Williams' record performance immortalized

The shoes he wore when he broke the rookie rushing record are placed in the Hall of Fame museum.

By RICK STROUD
Published September 29, 2005

TAMPA - Cadillac Williams made it into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Thursday.

Well, sort of. At least his shoes and gloves did.

Those items, worn by Williams when he became the first player in league history to begin his career with three consecutive 100-yard rushing performances, were placed in the Hall's Pro Football Today exhibit Thursday in Canton, Ohio.

The Bucs rookie leads the NFL with 434 rushing yards, surpassing Alan Ameche's record of 410 set in 1955 as a member of the Baltimore Colts.

"Oh, man, it definitely feels good. It's a great honor just to have something like that," Williams said. "I never thought that could possibly happen.

"It just hasn't hit me. Because I've only played three games."

Coach Jon Gruden said he hopes Williams can continue to produce the way he has in the first three games.

"It's a great honor. I'm really happy for him," Gruden said. "It's quite an accomplishment, I mean, let's be honest. It's a great feat and hopefully he's got a lot more mileage left in his Cadillac."

Williams said he has never been to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

"I definitely have a reason to go, just to check that scene out," Williams said.

As for the shoes that were confiscated? Not to worry.

"No, I always get a new pair every game, so it's not a problem," Williams said.

[Last modified September 29, 2005, 17:15:03]