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‘Bigger than football:’ Terrell Williams visits Patriots facility amid cancer battle
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- ‘Bigger than football:’ Terrell Williams visits Patriots facility amid cancer battle
FOXBOROUGH – Patriots players received an early Christmas gift this week when Terrell Williams set foot inside Gillette Stadium.
The Patriots defensive coordinator had been dealing with a medical issue for most of the offseason. Linebackers coach Zak Kuhr took over defensive playcalling responsibilities in Week 2. At the end of September, Mike Vrabel announced that Williams was diagnosed with prostate cancer and needed to step away from the team to focus on his health.
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This week, however, Williams was back inside the facility. Players said his presence was a positive source of energy as they prepare for the Baltimore Ravens .
"It's awesome," linebacker Jack Gibbens said. "He definitely brings energy just to know what he's going through and the fact that he still wants to be around and be there for us and show up, it means a lot for sure."
"It's super dope seeing that his energy and spirits are still intact and he hasn't changed one bit," edge rusher K'Lavon Chaisson added. "It's always a blessing to see that. Excited to always have him around and looking forward to seeing him stay around."
Williams, 51, was one of the top lieutenants on Vrabel's Tennessee staff. He was the Titans' defensive line coach (2018-2022) before being promoted to assistant head coach/defensive line coach in 2023.
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He worked as the Detroit Lions ' defensive line coach/run game coordinator last year. It wasn't a surprise to see Williams join Vrabel's staff in New England as the defensive coordinator.
This spring, however, Williams was away from the Patriots due to a "scary" medical situation. The coach returned this summer for training camp and worked as the Patriots' defensive play caller in Week 1.
Williams was in the Patriots building after Kuhr took over the play-calling duties. The coach stepped away in Week 4 to focus on his health. That week, Patriots player showed their support, donning white T-shirts with the words "T Strong" imprinted on them. A blue ribbon, which represents prostate cancer, replaced the "O" in the word strong. Players wore these shirts during their pregame warmups against the Carolina Panthers .
With the coach on their mind, it was a pleasant surprise to see Williams this week.
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"It's good to see him," safety Jaylinn Hawkins said. "He's out here working. He's fighting to get right. It's just good to see him in the building showing face. That's a big deal. He has a smile on him at all times. He's present, so that's really a good sign. It's positive just seeing him. Being present with him is really what matters in these moments."
"Ever since he left, he's still a part of our family," Gibbens added. "As far as us coming together as a team, he's going to give us some little nuggets here and there to try and help out where he can. But it's mostly for mindset and the energy of our team, it helps a lot."
Last year, in Detroit, Lions head coach Dan Campbell referred to Williams as "the best D-Line coach in the league." Although his knowledge on the defensive side of the ball would certainly help the Patriots in their preparations for Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry , players noted that what Williams is dealing with is bigger than football.
That's why his presence inside Gillette Stadium has meant everything.
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"He talks and chats with us," Chaisson said. "You've got to understand, the events that happened in his life, it's less about football and more about two individuals, just checking in and talking. That's all it's been about. Truly grateful and happy to be able to see him partake in what we're doing."
"It's awesome seeing him around," quarterback Drake Maye said. "Anytime he's around, it brings joy to us. It brings joy to the locker room. It brings joy to see his face, see how he's doing. Just praying for him. He's continuing to fight, and what a story. It's been something for us to rally around and somebody to care about. Another thing is that it's just bigger than football, and just props to him for seeing him in here a couple of times throughout the year. It's been cool to see."
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