Minnesota Vikings sign Kevin Williams to a one day contract
By Adam Carlson
The Minnesota Vikings will sign former defensive tackle Kevin Williams to a one day contract so that he can retire as a member of the team.
Fans of the Minnesota Vikings love Kevin Williams. As one half of the duo known as the Williams Wall, Kevin became a reliable and dominant part of the team’s defense from 2003 through 2013.
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Sadly, he didn’t finish out his career with the Vikings. After moving on from the team, he spent some time with both the Seattle Seahawks and New Orleans Saints. Now, he plans to announce his retirement from professional football on Thursday, July 28, 2016.
But Kevin Williams won’t retire as a member of the Saints. In fact, the official Minnesota Vikings website has confirmed that Williams has signed a contract with the Vikings. But that contract will only be for one day and allow him to retire as a member of the Minnesota Vikings on July 28, 2016.
Minnesota Vikings general manager Rick Spielman is very happy that Williams will retire with the team that drafted him in the first round of the 2003 NFL draft.
"“Kevin was one of the most respected players in Vikings history by his teammates and by opponents,” said Vikings GM Rick Spielman. “He set a high standard for himself and led by example instead of words. We thank him for everything he gave the Vikings and the legacy he leaves.”"
Kevin Williams himself appreciates everything the Minnesota Vikings have done for him over the years and is happy to be a big part of the team’s history on the defensive line.
"“I had a great time with the Vikings and appreciate them giving me a chance,” Williams said. “They drafted a small town kid from Arkansas and the organization, the city, the whole state really, helped raise me into a man. I appreciate them for that and look forward to coming back and doing some things with the team. My family loved it in Minnesota and will be back a lot. I really thank the Wilf Family and the McCombs Family for all they did for me. I had some great coaches, got to line up with some great players and we did a lot of good things. I look back on that line we had with Pat, Jared, Ray, B-Rob and Fred- I hope we set a standard for how you do things up front.”"
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Congratulations to Kevin Williams and the Minnesota Vikings for working out this one day contract to allow a star as beloved as Williams to retire with the team he spent so much time with and loved. A huge thanks go out to the fantastic former defensive tackle as well as a big thank you for everything he’s done for the team.