Ed Williams (linebacker)

Ed Williams played college football at Texas, helping them to win Southwest Conference Championships in 1981 and 1983. In 1981, the Longhorns won the Cotton Bowl and finished ranked #2. In 1983 he had a game-ending safety against then-undefeated SMU that allowed Texas to retain its #2 ranking.[2]

Williams was selected in the 2nd round of the 1984 NFL draft by the New England Patriots with the 43rd pick overall.[3] He was one of 17 Longhorns taken in the draft, breaking the record for most players drafted by a single school in one draft.[4] He'd also been drafted by the San Antonio Gunslingers of the USFL, but never chose to play in that league.[5]

The Patriots moved him to right, outside linebacker and he played in most of the Patriots games, including Super Bowl XX, which the Patriots lost, through his first 3 seasons, but was not a starter until 1987. He suffered a series of small injuries to his ankle and groin during that time. 1987 was his best season, starting in 7 games and recording his only interception, which he returned for 51 yards.

He was resigned by the Patriots in 1988 and a month later suffered a serious knee injury and spent the 1988 season on the injured reserve.[6][7] He was signed to a new one-year contract before the 1989 season, but he did not play that season.[8] Before the 1990 season he was waived by the Patriots and then reclaimed the next day.[9] He played in 15 games and was the starter 3 times that season, but continued to deal with an ankle injury.