Kyle Williams is calling it a career. The Bills announced (via Twitter) that their long-time defensive tackle will be retiring. Williams’ final career game will be this Sunday against the Dolphins.
“This isn’t easy,” said in a letter on the team’s website. “It was never going to be. There’s no perfect time to retire from a game, a franchise, and a city that mean so much to me and my family. But it’s time to hang up my cleats.”
Following a standout career at LSU, the Bills used a fifth-round selection on Williams during the 2006 draft. The defensive tackle quickly earned a starting gig with Buffalo, and he’s been a stalwart of the Bills defense for more than a decade.
While the 35-year-old will have an opportunity to add on to his totals on Sunday, Williams is already the Bills’ franchise leader in a number of statistics, including tackles for loss (102) and QB hits (141). He also ranks in Buffalo’s top-10 in solo tackles (384, 9th), assisted tackles (223, 2nd), and sacks (48.5, 5th). While it won’t hit the record books, it’s also worth noting that the 303-pound lineman scored a touchdown on his only career carry. During his 13-year career, Williams had earned five Pro Bowl nods and a spot as both a first- and second-team All-Pro.
Last offseason, Williams signed a one-year, $5.5MM deal with the Bills that included $4.5MM in guaranteed money. The 35-year-old has continued to be productive, compiling 31 tackles, five sacks, and one forced fumble. Pro Football Focus has also been fond of his performance, ranking him 53rd among 118 interior defenders. Perhaps even more importantly, Williams has had a chance to mentor third-round rookie Harrison Phillips, who could have an opportunity to take over as the starter next season.
Such a really good and sorely underrated career. Happy Retirement KW
A true example of what a professional is and should be. The NFL needs more players like Kyle. Such a great guy and loyal to one team through the bad times. Glad he got to experience the playoffs last year. He will be missed
Yep a classy throw back player who doesn’t play for recognition but the love of the game. So many young player could better themselves by studying his unselfish team play. What a huge loss for Buffalo and the game itself
Thank you Kyle for being a true professional and leader. Congratulations on your career
Good luck Kyle! #billsmafia
This is one of the saddest days in the history of the Buffalo Bills. It reminds me when Ernie Warlick (The War House) retired. Fans, players and even officials were so sad. How will the Bills ever recover? Who can WGR hire to talk to Chad and Jeremy on the afternoon drive? Hopefully Kyle will follow in the big steps of Paul McGuire. It is a big loss among many loses the Bills have generated this year.
opps the old war horse, not the the war house