Pat Williams

Games and Starts

(regular season, playoffs) 1997 (1/0-Buff.), 1998 (14/0, 1/0-Buff.), 1999 (16/0, 1/0-Buff.), 2000 (16/4-Buff.), 2001 (13/13-Buff.), 2002 (16/16-Buff.), 2003 (16/16-Buff.), 2004 (16/16-Buff.), 2005 (16/16), 2006 (16/16). Total- 140/97, 2/0 (32/32-Minn.).

Professional Biography

One of the top run-stuffing DTs in the NFL, has had an enormous impact with the Vikings over the past 2 seasons, starting all 32 games...Earned 1st Pro Bowl honors in 2006…Teams with All-Pro Kevin Williams to give the Vikings a formidable front…Played a key role in the Vikings ranking #1 in the NFL against the run and #8 in total defense in 2006, the first time since 1994 the team has ranked in the NFL’s top 10 in defense…Helped the Vikings’ defense hold opponents to 985 rushing yards on the season, a team record and the 2nd-lowest total in the NFL since the 1970 merger…Led Vikings’ linemen with 88 tackles and led the team with 9 tackles for loss in 2005…Has played in 140 games during his 11-year career, 97 of which he started...Has tallied 617 tackles  (430 solo), along with 15.5 sacks, 1 INT, 5 forced fumbles and 4 fumble recoveries during that time…Has scored 2 career defensive TDs, a fumble return and an interception return…Signed by Vikings on 3/3/05, the first signing for the team in 2005 free agency and a priority signing…Was a teammate of CB Antoine Winfield in Buffalo when the Bills ranked among the NFL leaders, ranking #1 in  1999 and #3 in 2000…Entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent and did not start a game until his 4th NFL season, but has been a full-time starter since the 2001 season, starting the past 93 games he has played…Had career-best 108 tackles in 2002, ranking 2nd on team behind LB London Fletcher…Intercepted 1st career pass and returned it 20yards for a TD, picking off A.J. Feeley at Miami  (12/5/04), sealing the win for Buffalo 42-32, breaking open a 3-point game with 1:55 left to play…Named to USA Today’s All- Joe Team in 2000, recognizing the  NFL’s “overlooked, ignored and hard-working” players.

 

NFL History

• SELECTED TO 2007 ASSOCIATED PRESS ALL-PRO 2^ND TEAM.
• EARNED 2^ND TRIOP TO PRO BOWL IN 2007, JOINING FELLOW DT KEVIN WILLIAMS AS THE NFC’S STARTING DTs IN THE ALL-STAR GAME.
• Joined by DT Kevin Williams in the Pro Bowl in 2006 and 2007, marking only the 2^nd time in Vikings history that a DT tandem has gone to consecutive Pro Bowls, joining Alan Page and Gary Larsen in 1969 and 1970.
• Key element to the Vikings ranking #1 in the NFL against the run in 2006 and 2007
• Durable big man who has not missed a game in 6 seasons and has started every game he has played since the 2001 season with Buffalo.
• Led Vikings linemen with 78 tackles in 2007.
• Improved his total tackles by 19 from 2006 to 2007.
• Grabbed a fumble by 49ers QB Shaun Hill @ San Francisco (12/9), his 2^nd FR of the season, and ended game with 8 tackles to lead the Vikings defensive line.
• Helped limit the Lions to 7 rushing attempts vs. Detroit (12/2), the 2^nd-fewest in team history.
• Tied for team lead and had season-best 10 tackles vs. Oakland (11/18).
• Tied season-high with 2.0 tackles for loss vs. San Diego (11/4).
• Recovered a Brian Griese fumble @ Chicago (10/14) in the 2^nd quarter, his 1^st FR as a Viking and his 1^st since 2003 when he was a Buffalo Bill.
• Started 100^th career game of his career @ Kansas City (9/23).
• Earned 1^st trip to Pro Bowl in his career in 2006.
• Joined fellow DT Kevin Williams in the Pro Bowl, the 1^st time since 1970 with 2 Vikings DTs in the game.  
• Part of recent free agent success that has yielded fellow Pro Bowlers Darren Sharper and Steve Hutchinson.
• One of the most consistent defensive players on the 2005 Vikings defense.
• Led Vikings linemen in 2005 with 88 tackles, including 59 solo and led team with 9 tackles for loss.
• Earned votes in Associated Press All-Pro voting in 2005.  
• The 1^st free agent signed in 2005, part of the ongoing defensive makeover started in 2004.
• Has scored 2 career defensive TDs- a fumble return and an interception return.
• Regarded as one of the top run-stuffing DTs in the NFL.
• Voted by Bills teammates as the 2003 winner of the Ed Block Courage Award.
• Named to USA Today’s All Joe Team in 2000.
• Active in community outreach efforts during his career in Buffalo and continued in Minnesota.
• Owns an automobile customizing business in the Twin Cities - Automotive Concepts.

 

College Information

Started 8 games and appeared in 11 as a senior at A&M...Earned 2nd-team All-SWAC as a junior in 1995 in only 6 starts...Transferred to A&M from NE Oklahoma in ’94…A 2-time JUCO All-American at Navarro (TX) JC from 1992-93…Played basketball at Navarro.

Personal Biography

Spends offseason in his hometown of Monroe, LA...Owns an automobile detailing company in the Twin Cities – Automotive Concepts...Hosts “Team Williams Week” in his hometown of Monroe including a football camp for 3 years…Has volunteered his time at the North Minneapolis Probation House to encourage positive relationships with youth and law enforcement…Has also participated in the Viking Children’s Fund’s “Bowl with the Vikings” event…Was named the Bills 2003 recipient of the Ed Block Courage Award as voted by teammates for displaying a commitment to the principles of courage and leadership…Married to Valarie, the couple has daughters, Crystal and Alesha, and a son, Pat.