Gerard Anthony Williams (born May 25, 1952) is a former American football cornerback in the National Football League (NFL) for the Washington Redskins, San Francisco 49ers, and St. Louis Cardinals. He also was a member of the Birmingham Americans and Birmingham Vulcans in the

World Football League The World Football League (WFL) was an American football league that played one full season in 1974 and most of its second in 1975. Although the league's proclaimed ambition was to bring American football onto a worldwide stage, the farthest t ...

(WFL). He played

college football College football (french: Football universitaire) refers to gridiron football played by teams of student athletes. It was through college football play that American football rules first gained popularity in the United States. Unlike most ...

at Langston University.

Early years

Williams attended Northeast High School in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He accepted a football scholarship from Langston University. In 2014, he was inducted into the Langston University Athletic Hall of Fame.

Professional career

Dallas Cowboys

Williams was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Dallas Cowboys after the

1974 NFL draft The 1974 NFL draft took place at the Americana Hotel in New York City, New York, on January 29–30, 1974. Each of the 26 NFL teams were granted 17 selections for a total of 442 picks. Many experts consider the 1974 Pittsburgh Steelers to have h ...

. He was released before the start of the season.

Birmingham Americans (WFL)

On September 17,

1974 Major events in 1974 include the aftermath of the 1973 oil crisis and the resignation of United States President Richard Nixon following the Watergate scandal. In the Middle East, the aftermath of the 1973 Yom Kippur War determined politics; f ...

, he signed as a free agent with the Birmingham Americans of the

. He was named the starter at right cornerback and had 4 interceptions. In

1975 It was also declared the ''International Women's Year'' by the United Nations and the European Architectural Heritage Year by the Council of Europe. Events January * January 1 - Watergate scandal (United States): John N. Mitchell, H. R. ...

, the Americans suffered a financial crisis and were replaced by the Birmingham Vulcans. Williams played in 9 games and had 3 interceptions before the league folded.

Los Angeles Rams

, he signed as a free agent with the

Los Angeles Rams The Los Angeles Rams are a professional American football team based in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. The Rams compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) West division. The Rams play ...

. He was released on August 11.

Washington Redskins

On April 6,

1976 Events January * January 3 – The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights enters into force. * January 5 – The Pol Pot regime proclaims a new constitution for Democratic Kampuchea. * January 11 – The 1976 Phila ...

, he was signed as a free agent by the Washington Redskins. He was a backup at left corenerback behind

Pat Fischer Patrick Fischer (born January 2, 1940) is a former American football cornerback in the National Football League (NFL) for the St. Louis Cardinals from 1961 to 1967, and the Washington Redskins from 1968 to 1977. Fischer attended Westside Hig ...

. In

1977 Events January * January 8 – Three bombs explode in Moscow within 37 minutes, killing seven. The bombings are attributed to an Armenian separatist group. * January 10 – Mount Nyiragongo erupts in eastern Zaire (now the Democratic R ...

, he became a starter after Fischer suffered a pinched back nerve. He started 11 games and posted 4 interceptions. In

1978 Events January * January 1 – Air India Flight 855, a Boeing 747 passenger jet, crashes off the coast of Bombay, killing 213. * January 5 – Bülent Ecevit, of Republican People's Party, CHP, forms the new government of Turkey (42nd go ...

, he was passed on the depth chart by

Lemar Parrish Lemar R. Parrish (born December 13, 1947) is a former professional American football player who played defensive back in the National Football League for the Cincinnati Bengals (1970–1977), Washington Redskins (1978–1982), and Buffalo Bill ...

. Williams regained his starting position after Parrish was lost for the season with a fractured forearm, finishing with 5 starts and 4 interceptions. He was released on August 27,

1979 Events January * January 1 ** United Nations Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim heralds the start of the ''International Year of the Child''. Many musicians donate to the ''Music for UNICEF Concert'' fund, among them ABBA, who write the song ...

San Francisco 49ers

On September 6,

, he signed as a free agent with the San Francisco 49ers. He started 14 games at right cornerback and registered 4 interceptions. He was released on September 1,

1980 Events January * January 4 – U.S. President Jimmy Carter proclaims a grain embargo against the USSR with the support of the European Commission. * January 6 – Global Positioning System time epoch begins at 00:00 UTC. * January 9 – ...

St. Louis Cardinals

On October 22,

, he was signed by the St. Louis Cardinals. He was waived on November 19.

San Francisco 49ers

On November 20,

, he was re-signed by the San Francisco 49ers. He was released on May 14,

1981 Events January * January 1 ** Greece enters the European Economic Community, predecessor of the European Union. ** Palau becomes a self-governing territory. * January 10 – Salvadoran Civil War: The FMLN launches its first major offensiv ...

References

External links

*
World Football League Statistics
{{DEFAULTSORT:Williams, Gerard 1952 births Living people Players of American football from Oklahoma City American football cornerbacks Langston Lions football players Birmingham Americans players Birmingham Vulcans players Washington Redskins players San Francisco 49ers players St. Louis Cardinals (football) players