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Profile: Karl Williams

By DARRELL FRY, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published December 30, 2001

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PLAYING THE ROLE: He is listed as a receiver, but that's not telling the whole story. He is a role player, a team player, a player who lines up wherever and whenever the team needs him. Since joining the Bucs in 1996, he has played receiver, returned punts and kickoffs and made tackles on special teams. "When you're a backup player, you've got to be ready for anything," he said.

SMALL SCHOOL, BIG PLAYER: Williams is one of only a handful of players to make it out of tiny Texas A&M-Kingsville. Before that, he went to an even smaller school, Tyler (Texas) Junior College. Not surprisingly, he went undrafted. Yet he is thriving in the big leagues and is about to complete his sixth season. In the offseason, though, he returns to his roots and to the home he has in Rowlett, Texas.

THE MISSING LINK: Williams makes a rare start tonight at receiver, but don't be surprised if he takes over that spot. The team needs a consistent, sure-handed receiver to complement Keyshawn Johnson, and Williams is out to win the job. His 13.5 yards-per-catch average is the highest among the team's receivers, and his 42-yard catch this season is the second-longest. "I think it's just a matter of getting that right fit as far as that No.2 guy," he said.

TAKING IT TO THE HOUSE: The Bucs' woes on kickoff returns without a touchdown is common knowledge, but Williams has been a bright spot for Tampa Bay. He holds the club record for single-season kickoff return average (27.4 yards in 1996) and already has returned a punt for a touchdown this season.

ALL IN THE NAME: Several Bucs have cool nicknames. One of the best is Mike "A-Train" Alstott. But none have a better ring than Karl "The Truth" Williams. End of discussion.

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