American football player and diplomat (born 1942)
Sidney Williams (born March 24, 1942) is an American former diplomat and American football linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for the Cleveland Browns , Washington Redskins , Baltimore Colts , and the Pittsburgh Steelers . He played college football at Southern University .
Early life
Williams was born on March 24, 1942, in Shreveport, Louisiana , and grew up in Houston, Texas . He attended and played high school football at Wheatley High School , graduating in 1959.[ 1]
College career
Williams attended and played college football at Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana . Later, he earned a master's degree at Pepperdine University .[ 2]
Professional career
Williams was drafted in the 16th round (222nd overall) of the 1964 NFL draft by the Cleveland Browns , where he played from 1964 to 1966, and was a member of the 1964 NFL Champion Browns team . After a contract dispute with the Browns in 1967,[ 3] New York Giants in 1967 for a draft selection, but was released a few weeks later.[ 4] Washington Redskins , where he played in 1967. He also played for the Baltimore Colts and the Pittsburgh Steelers .
On June 4, 1967, along with several other Black athletes and one Black political leader, Williams participated in what is now known as the "Cleveland Summit " or the "Muhammad Ali Summit" in Cleveland, Ohio , followed by a press conference, to express support for Muhammad Ali , who was to stand trial for refusing to submit to the military draft .[ 5]
Sales career
Williams was employed as a sales representative at Mercedes-Benz Hollywood, Inc. in Hollywood, California , from 1979 to 1994.[ 6]
Political and civil service career
Williams worked as a business developer with the Black Economic Union in Los Angeles, California , and served as a legislative aide for Los Angeles City Councilman David S. Cunningham Jr. [ 2] [ 5] United States Ambassador to the Bahamas under the Clinton Administration from 1994 to 1998.[ 5] [ 7]
Personal life
Williams is the husband of Representative Maxine Waters , who represents California's 43rd congressional district [ 8]
References
^ Our Campaigns. "Williams, Sidney" . Retrieved July 1, 2018 . ^ a b "Williams, Sidney (1942- )" . BlackPast.org . January 26, 2015. Retrieved June 22, 2015 .^ "Browns Trade Williams as Holdout Ends" . Chicago Tribune . Retrieved June 22, 2015 .^ Parrish, Bernie (October 1, 2000). They Call It a Game: Shoulders the NFL Stands on ISBN 978-0-59513-076-4 ^ a b c "Stars at the Muhammad Ali summit: Where are they now?" . Cleveland.com . June 3, 2012. Retrieved June 22, 2015 .^ "Sidney Williams' Unusual Route to Ambassador Post" . Los Angeles Times . February 6, 1994. Retrieved May 12, 2019 .^ "Cleveland Browns 1964 championship season: Where are they now?" . Cleveland.com . December 31, 2014. Retrieved June 22, 2015 .^ Murphy, Patricia. "Rep. Maxine Waters: Yank the NFL's Antitrust Exemption" . Politics Daily . Archived from the original on October 30, 2009. Retrieved January 12, 2015 .
External links
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