Jamaal Williams Dedicates Sunday Night Football Game Ball To Late Great-Grandfather
Jan 8, 2023, 10:21 PM | Updated: 10:30 pm
Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers talks with Jamaal Williams #30 of the Detroit Lions after their game at Lambeau Field on January 08, 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
(Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Former BYU Cougars running back Jamaal Williams had an emotional postgame interview on Sunday Night Football where he received a game ball from NBC and dedicated it to his late great-grandfather.
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Williams’ former team, the Green Bay Packers, hosted the Lions at Lambeau Field on Sunday, January 8.
The former BYU star led the Lions to a 20-16 win over the Packers.
After the game, Williams received a Sunday Night Football game ball during NBC’s postgame interview on KSL 5 TV.
An emotional Williams dedicated the game ball to his late great-grandfather. He also called out the doubters that wrote off the Lions before the game and predicted a Packers victory on Sunday Night Football.
RELATED: Lions RB Jamaal Williams Eclipses 1,000 Rushing Yards For Season
There is NO ONE in professional sports like @jswaggdaddy. He's simply the best! His walkoff interview with NBC captures his emotion and personality perfectly.#BYU l #BYUFootball l @KSLSports pic.twitter.com/DIBq0zNDLh
— Sam Farnsworth (@Samsworth_KSL) January 9, 2023
After Williams’ Sunday Night Football postgame interview, NBA star LeBron James tweeted about the former BYU standout.
“I LOVE THIS KID SO MUCH!!! SO DOPE. You have a fan in me Jamaal!” James posted on Twitter.
I LOVE THIS KID SO MUCH!!! SO DOPE. You have a fan in me Jamaal! 🫡 https://t.co/cW9mr6yqEt
— LeBron James (@KingJames) January 9, 2023
Williams had a standout performance in Week 18. He passed the legendary Barry Sanders to become Detroit’s single-season touchdown record holder.
In addition to his Lions record, the sixth-year running back reached 1,000 rushing yards for the season on a run during the first half.
It’s the first time during his NFL career that Williams has joined the 1,000-yard rushing club. Earlier in the day, former BYU running back Tyler Allgeier became the first former Cougar to hit the mark. Williams joined Allgeier a few hours later.
The former BYU star finished the game with 16 carries for 72 yards and two touchdowns.
— Kyle Ireland (@kyleireland) January 9, 2023
Williams entered the game against the Packers with 246 carries for 994 yards and 15 touchdowns this season.
With the win, the Lions ended their season with a 9-8 record and eliminated their division rival from playoff contention.
About Jamaal Williams
Before his time in the NFL, Williams was a star at BYU. He finished his time in Provo as the Cougars’ all-time leading rusher in both career and single-yard yards.
During his time at BYU (2012-14, 2016), Williams ran the ball 726 times for 3,901 yards and 35 touchdowns. He also had 60 receptions for 567 yards and a touchdown. Williams only lost two fumbles during his college career.
One more time, @jswaggdaddy! 😂#DETvsGB on NBC and @peacock.
pic.twitter.com/hlpf0MCZau— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) January 9, 2023
Following his time at BYU, the Southern California native was selected by the Green Bay Packers during the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft. He played the first four seasons of his professional career with the Packers before signing with the Lions in 2021.
Before Week 18, Williams had run for 3,580 yards and 28 touchdowns during his six seasons in the league.
Kyle Ireland is a Locals in the NFL Insider for sports.ksl.com and co-host of the Yards After College Podcast. Follow him on Twitter (@kyleireland) and Instagram (@kyleirelandksl).
