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Next in the Tremendous 24 series is the one and only Colin Williams, a former fierce defensive back for Caldwell University. He showed no mercy to the opposition’s quarterback. While breaking records, he displayed tenacity, grit, optimism, and leadership on the football field. His love and passionate personality also transfer to the acting world, as he aspires to be an actor one day.
Williams was born in East Orange, New Jersey, to RoseMaureen Williams and Colin Williams Sr., who are of Guyana and Jamaican descent. He grew up in an urban neighborhood known for relatively high crime rates, tall apartment buildings, and an estimated population of over 70,000 as of 2024. Despite the prevalent crime and violence, including the loss of his best friend during his freshman year of college, Williams was fortunate to have family members who shielded him from the worst of it.
“Growing up was like… It had it’s ups and downs, I mean… A lot of people killed you know that were around my age and even younger… For example, I lost my best friend my freshman year of college, right before we played Navy, our last game. There was a lot of violence going on in the area, but luckily for me, I had family members that tried to keep me away from that violence.”
Williams is known primarily as a football player. However, his journey to the gridiron was shaped by various sports, including basketball, volleyball, soccer, and track and field. His father's passing in 2016 was a turning point, igniting a fierce determination in Williams that he channeled into his playstyle. Football became a way for him to cope with the pain and anger of his loss.
“When my dad died in 2016… I just had like that beast mode within me that was so like angry at like, the things that were happening to me, and you know, it changed my playstyle to just be like a beast, you know, to go harder…I see myself as when I get in the game, I bring that type of hype and energy.”
Playing basketball growing up helped Williams improve his conditioning, crediting his former coach, Jimmy Salmon of the New Jersey Playaz. At the same time, volleyball helped with his coordination, strength, jumping form, and hand placement, which he transferred to the football field. Williams went to St. Cassidians, a middle school with few African-American kids. The new environment opened him up to a new world outside of East Orange's doldrums, making him a better person and mentally preparing him for the world.
Williams attended Montclair Immaculate High School, where he initially focused on basketball and volleyball. It was in his junior year that he discovered his football talent. His coaches recognized his relentless energy and aggression, choosing to develop his skills as a defensive end, a decision that would shape his future in the sport.
The Immaculate Conceptions struggled during William's two seasons playing football, going (2-9) in his junior season and (4-6) senior year due to injuries preventing the team from succeeding further. Williams's father’s passing, he mentioned, forced him to become a man quicker, which is the reason he’s a Steelers fan and where he got his love for football.
“It changed me in many ways. It showed me how to be a man at a younger age… It definitely molded me into a better football player too.”
Williams considered walking on at Rutgers or going to Montclair State or Nyack College when deciding on a college. Instead, he chose Caldwell University because he wanted more opportunities to play and stay closer to his family. His love for his family was a driving force in his decisions, and at Caldwell, he paired alongside Airion Scarlett and Vinnie Crisafi (both of whom I also interviewed). They all helped push each other to improve and bring the best out of one another.
Williams watched his opponents' films religiously to learn their tendencies and weaknesses and be more prepared. He is truly obsessed with and desires to help his team win. He has this mantra called 84 Reasons, the number he wore on the field, to have that beast mentality and spread positivity worldwide.
“When my dad died, there’s a lot of reasons this happened to me, right? And I put the 84 next to it… I’m going to live my life positively, going to spread message to others, going to show kids who have lost their parents… Just keeping that beast mentality… I wanted to wear number 84 for my pops… 84 Reasons is always within me.”
Caldwell struggled to garner wins for a starting football program, but he left an indelible impact there as a member of the Cougars. Here are some of his incredible accolades:
Finished 2nd all-time in sacks
Led the team in sacks in 2017
3rd all-time in tackles for loss
Had the first blocked field goal & most blocked in program history
Nowadays, Williams is trying to pursue his passion for becoming an actor. His profound love for television, movies, and music fuels his desire to step into the world of acting. Before games, Williams listened to hip-hop moguls such as Nas, DMX, Tupac, and 50 Cent. When I asked him his GOATS for the NFL and NBA since he loved football and basketball growing up, he named icons Tom Brady and LeBron James.
Brady, Jerry Rice, Joe Montana, Joe Greene, and Troy Polamalu were his all-time NFL starting five. He named Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, James, Allen Iverson, and Shaquille O’Neal for the NBA.
When I asked him about his life goals, he mentioned that he wanted to win an Oscar and produce a film about his life one day. To conclude the interview, I asked him the outro question I asked all my guests before closing the show.
“I want them to know the man that gave me my name was the reason why my greatness was fulfilled. I want people to just know I did my best in life. I helped others… I catch myself caring about others more than myself sometimes just cause how much I love my people and how much I want to see people happy.”
A year after I interviewed him, he was in Ceosonson x Fatboy SSE Soul's official music video, which had over a million views as the video's opening act striving to pursue his dreams. William's relentless pursuit and passion for success despite all the tragedy and loss he experienced at a young age show his resilience to overcome obstacles and why he embodies the Greatness Within.
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