Deangelo Williams is one of the best known running backs in the NFL. He is best known for his nine-year stint with the Carolina Panthers. For a year, between 2015 and 2016, he played for the Pittsburgh Steelers. After which he had a brief 3-month career in professional wrestling. As of 2018, Williams is a free agent. Here’s everything you need to know about Deangelo’s career and personal life.
Deangelo Williams Biography (Age and Other Background Information)
DeAngelo Chondon Williams was born on April 25, 1983, in Wynne, Arkansas. He attended Wynne High School in Wynne, Arkansas, where his athletic abilities were immediately apparent. Williams quickly became a football star and also excelled in athletics.
In 2000, he was named to the Arkansas All-State Team. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette named him Offensive Player of the Year for 2001, and the same year the Associated Press named him to the Arkansas Super Team. All of these recognitions and more have made Williams one of the best running backs in Arkansas.
A broken foot during his sophomore year threatened to cut short his career abruptly. However, Williams got to his feet. In 2004, he led his team to its first-ever 4A State Championship title.
On the track, Williams was no less successful, rising to a letterman. He led his school to 2nd place overall in 2001. Williams became one of the fastest men in Arkansas and as of this writing still holds the state record for the 100 m, clocking in at 10.81 s.
When college came, Williams who called himself among the best prospects in the state was recruited by three schools – the universities of Iowa, Arkansas and Mississippi. However, he later chose the Memphis Tigers football team from the University of Memphis. In college, Williams dropped out of athletics to focus on soccer.
He impressed greatly throughout his college years, sweeping praise as he went. For three consecutive years, he was named American Conference Offensive Player of the Year. He was shortlisted for two US selections and was a finalist for the coveted Doak Walker Award in 2005.
Williams entered the 2006 NFL Draft and was originally considered a top 10 player, with most teams opting for the free agency option in their running back selection. Williams will therefore be selected 27th overall by the Carolina Panthers. After nearly a decade with the team, Williams left in March 2015 to join the Pittsburgh Steelers on a two-year deal that expired in 2016.
A huge pro wrestling fan, Williams made his debut in April 2017. His first Slammiversary XV match was a tag team match where his performance earned rave reviews. He retired from wrestling in July 2017.
Net value
Williams has earned many millions from playing football. One of the highlights of his football earnings came in 2011, when he signed a 5-year contract extension worth $43 million with a $23 million guarantee. This huge contract landed him on Forbes’ list of highest-earning athletes in 2012, with earnings of around $20 million, of which $150,000 came from his endorsement deals. His contract with the Steelers was worth $4 million. Deangelo Williams net worth has been estimated between $15-20 million.
His wife and family
Deangelo was born to parents Sandra Hill and Odell Hill. His mother, Sandra, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004, and after a 10-year battle, she passed away in May 2014. Sadly, four of Deangelo’s aunts were also diagnosed with breast cancer. The NFL star now dedicates his time to raising awareness about the disease while helping those who are living with it.
Williams is married to his college sweetheart, Risalyn Burzynski. They share three children together, including a son and two daughters. Deangelo and Risalyn, despite being together since college and raising three children afterward, didn’t wed until July 2016.
Their Walking Dead-themed wedding took place at the Peabody in Memphis, Tennessee. A huge fan of the AMC horror series, Williams, his bride and the bridesmaid and groomsmen were dressed as zombies for the party.
the size
Pre-draft, Deangelo Williams’ height was measured at 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm). His height fell below the norm for an NFL running back, causing scouts to doubt his potential. Nonetheless, Williams impressed scouts with her performance during the practice week and earned rave reviews. His weight is 94 kg, or 207 lbs.