Drafted by the Phoenix Cardinals in the 3rd Round (59th overall) in the 1991 NFL Draft
Position: CB - 5′11′ - 200 lbs, College: Southern
Aeneas Demetrius Williams, born on January 29th 1968 in New Orleans, LA. When you talk about Arizona Cardinals history, you have to talk about Aeneas Williams. I remember watching Aeneas in his first pre-season game and I knew he was going to be a special player. With players like these you just know right away, there’s no mistaking the talent. Some players stroll right from college to the NFL without a struggle, that’s Aeneas.
Impact players with a positive impact. Not only was Aeneas Williams an impact player as far as football and playing the game, he was the consummate team player and team leader. All class on and off the field. When you watched him he kind of reminded me of Marshall Faulk just in the way some players have that extra sense of the game, football intelligence. Just knowing where to be on the field, anticipation and knowing where the ball was going to. Like I’ve written in some of my other posts, Aeneas had talents that are hard to teach and they are just naturally blessed.
Phoenix/Arizona Cardinals: 1991-2000
St. Louis Rams: 2001-2004
Heck in his rookie season he already established himself as a shutdown corner and was second in the league in interceptions right behind Ronnie Lott, that’s good company to keep in your first year. Sophomore Jinx? Not here, he just got better and better as the years wore on. Aeneas was the complete cornerback, not really any weaknesses that I can think of about in his game, I do know he brought his A game each and every week because he only missed 4 games in his entire NFL career. Just another notch on his long and Hall of Fame type of career. I honestly hope he gets voted into Canton one day.
Aeneas Williams Career Stats and NFL Honors and Awards - Jersey #35
- 55 career interceptions - 17th all-time
- 23 Fumble recoveries
- 12 Touchdowns
- 795 Tackles
- 8 Time Pro Bowl selection (1994, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 2001, 2003)
- 4 Time First Team All Pro Selection (1995, 96, 97, 2001)
- Selected to the NFL’s 1990’s All Decade Team
- Inducted into the Arizona Cardinals Ring of Honor
Some people feel that Aeneas Williams is the greatest Cardinal of all time, I think that’s hard to say because the game still goes on. There have been some great Cardinals players, but they might have a point. I’ll leave that up to someone else, I’ll just say he was definitely one of the greatest cornerbacks to ever play this game that I have ever seen.
Aeneas retired from the NFL after the 2004 season and is currently very active in his church and serves as it’s Pastor.
