| No. 96, 71[1] | |||||||||
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| Position | Defensive end | ||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||
| Born | (1979-02-02)February 2, 1979 (age 46) St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. | ||||||||
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||||||||
| Weight | 269 lb (122 kg) | ||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||
| High school | Mehlville (Mehlville, Missouri) | ||||||||
| College | Kansas State (1998–2002) | ||||||||
| NFL draft | 2003: 5th round, 155th overall pick | ||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||
| Awards and highlights | |||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||
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| Stats at ArenaFan.com | |||||||||
Melvin Williams (born February 2, 1979) is an American former professionalfootballdefensive end who played two seasons in theNational Football League (NFL) with theNew Orleans Saints andSan Francisco 49ers. He was selected by the Saints in the fifth round of the2003 NFL draft after playingcollege football atKansas State University. Williams was also a member of theMiami Dolphins,Washington Redskins andNew Orleans VooDoo.
Melvin Williams was born on February 2, 1979, inSt. Louis, Missouri.[1] He was a three-yearletterman in both football and basketball atMehlville High School inMehlville, Missouri.[1] As a junior in 1995, he recorded 68 solo tackles, 48 assisted tackles, and 11 sacks on defense while also catching nine touchdown passes as atight end on offense.[2] As a senior in 1996, Williams totaled 78 solo tackles, 16 sacks, five forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, three interceptions, and 18 receptions for 400 yards and eight touchdowns.[2] He earned first-team all-state honors his senior year.[2] He averaged 19.2 points per game and 10.8 rebounds per game his junior season in basketball.[2] He finished his basketball career as the school's all-time leading scorer.[2]
Williams originally signed to playcollege football for theKansas State Wildcats ofKansas State University in 1997 but did not enroll until spring 1998.[2] He wasredshirted in 1998, and was a four-yearletterman from 1999 to 2002.[1] He earnedAssociated Press third-team All-Big 12 honors his senior year in 2002.[3]
Williams was selected by theNew Orleans Saints in the fifth round, with the 155th overall pick, of the2003 NFL draft.[4] He signed with the Saints on June 16, 2003.[5] He played in 14 games, starting two, for the Saints during his rookie year in 2003, recording six solo tackles, six assisted tackles, and one pass breakup.[6] Williams was waived on October 4, 2004.[5]
Williams was claimed off waivers by theSan Francisco 49ers on October 5, 2004.[5] He was waived on October 19, re-signed on November 3, and waived again on November 13, 2004.[5] Overall, he played in three games for the 49ers during the 2004 season, totaling three solo tackles, one assisted tackle, and three pass breakups.[6]
Williams was claimed off waivers by theMiami Dolphins on November 15, 2004.[5] He was soon released on November 23, 2004, before appearing in any games.[5]
Williams signed with theWashington Redskins on December 29, 2004, but was released two days later.[5] He re-signed with the Redskins on January 3, 2005.[5] He was placed on injured reserve on August 18, 2005, and spent the entire season there.[5] Williams became a free agent after the 2005 season.[5]
Williams was signed by theNew Orleans VooDoo of theArena Football League on January 9, 2007.[7] He was placed on injured reserve onFebruary 16.[7] He was activated on March 30, 2007.[7] Williams played in nine games for the VooDoo during the 2007 season, recording five solo tackles, one assisted tackle, one forced fumble, three fumble recoveries, and one blocked kick.[1][8]
Williams' brother, Turelle, also played football at Kansas State.[2]