Robert Williams (cornerback)

Robert Williams

No. 23, 40
Position:	Cornerback / Safety
Personal information
Date of birth:	(1962-10-02) October 2, 1962
Place of birth:	Galveston, Texas
Height:
Weight:
Career information
High school:	Ball (TX)
College:	Baylor
Undrafted:	1986
Career history
Washington Redskins (1986)* Dallas Cowboys (1987–1991) Phoenix Cardinals (1992) Dallas Cowboys (1992–1993) Kansas City Chiefs (1993) Washington Redskins (1994)*
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
2× Super Bowl champion (XXVII, XXVIII)
Career NFL statistics
Games played–started: 85–36 Interceptions: 4 Sacks: 1.0 Player stats at NFL.com
Player stats at PFR

Robert Cole Williams (born October 2, 1962) is a former American football running back who played professionally in National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys as a defensive back. A running back in high School and college, Coach Tom Landry turned him into a defensive back because of his speed. Dallas had Tony Dorsett and Herschel Walker as there running backs.

Early years

Williams was a standout running back at Galveston's Ball High School and also was a standout hurdler for the Track team. He was also a long jumper and ran on all relay teams.

He was a 1981 recruit for Baylor University, where he played for Grant Teaff. A running back in college and redshirted his freshman year.

Professional career

Washington Redskins (first stint)

Williams was signed by the Washington Redskins as an undrafted free agent wide receiver in 1986. He was waived before the season started. Played in two pre-season games before he was waived.

Dallas Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys were intrigued by his combination of size and speed, and signed him as a free agent in 1987 with the intention of converting him to a defensive back. He was waived before the season started.

After the players went on a strike on the third week of the season, those games were canceled (reducing the 16 game season to 15) and the NFL decided that the games would be played with replacement players. Williams was re-signed to be a part of the Cowboys replacement team, that was given the mock name "Rhinestone Cowboys" by the media. He ended up playing well in those games as the right cornerback starter, and was kept for the rest of the season playing mainly as a backup and on special teams.

In 1988, former baylor teammate Ron Francis entered the season as the starter at right cornerback, before dislocating his left shoulder during an intrasquad game in pre-season. The injury allowed Williams to win the position outright until 1991, when Manny Hendrix replaced him as the starter.

On September 21, 1992, he was placed on the injured reserve list because of a right knee injury. He was one of two players declared inactive for Super Bowl XXVII (the other was Alan Veingrad). He was released on October 12, 1993.

Kansas City Chiefs

Williams signed as a free agent with the Kansas City Chiefs in 1993 and was cut on March 29, 1994.

Washington Redskins (second stint)

He signed with the Washington Redskins in August 1994, but was waived after playing in two pre-season games and would later announce his retirement.

Personal life

Williams is an assistant track coach at Jesuit College Preparatory School Of Dallas.

External links

• NFL replacements part of history
• Williams a Surprise for Hapless Cowboys
• Former Baylor Teammates Fighting for Same Position