It has been less than two weeks since star Arkansas running back Rawleigh Williams was carted off the field in spring practice after a seemingly run-of-the-mill hit resulted in a big-time injury. Now, one of the best returning players in the SEC at the position has announced that he will be moving "on to the next chapter" of his life and that it will not include football.
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On the official Razorbacks website, Williams penned a lengthy letter (that is worth a full read) and it included the following:
"I'm moving onto the next chapter of my life. It's tough to not be able to play football anymore because I've been playing since I was four years old. It wasn't something I wanted to do or planned on having to do so early. I've prayed, listened to my doctors, my parents and my gut.
It still doesn't seem real yet, but I really don't have a choice. I've dodged the bullet twice. I realize that at the end of the day I want to live a normal life and be around my family.
The most fun I've ever had in my life has been being part of this team the last two years. Playing with my brothers, learning from coaches, the workouts, the preparation, the grind, the games ... we sacrificed a lot. Now that I can't play anymore I wish I could sacrifice more."
Williams rushed for more than 1,300 yards with double-digit touchdowns in 2016 but he is showing incredible maturity and perspective for a man his age. Throughout the piece, Williams references a quote from his father that reads, "Don't work to just be the guy in the jersey on Sundays. Work to be the guy in the nice suit that's in the suite of the stadium making all the decisions." This sentiment seems to move in conjunction with his decision to prioritize health and stability over football at this time.
This decision leaves Arkansas with a weakness on the roster in 2017 but Rawleigh Williams' health and safety should be more important. Best of luck to him moving forward.
