Q&A With Football's Avery Williams
Dec 3, 2004 | Football
Dec. 3, 2004
NEW ORLEANS, La. - Freshman defensive tackle Avery Williams is not your average college freshman. Discover why this Q&A with the Houston native.
What is your major?
Political Science. I want to be a judge, so I'm already planning on Law School. Hard work pays. I have a lot of friends whose parents are attorneys, and with all of the research and preparation, their jobs are stressful. So I figure if I'm a judge, then I get to sit behind the bench, and have them convince me who's right.
What is your favorite book?
"A Tale of Two Cities." I liked that book. I read it in the ninth grade for class. My English teacher taught it to us by adjusting the language and explaining the plot while we read. I liked the story that was going on. We learned the whole "Best of Times/Worst of Times" speech, then we got to see the movie to pull it all together. I like how the people were able to revolt and come up in life.
If you could play any sport at Tulane, what would it be and why?
I would stick with football. It's a challenge. Football forces you to compete, and I am a competitor. I like the physical challenge and hitting people. You can't really find that kind of competition in basketball or baseball. It is a challenge, from the early morning workouts to the fast-paced games, I am a football player.
What are your plans for after graduation?
My plans are to finish my education and get out into the field and build experience. At the game last week my mom was sitting next to a Louisiana Senator, and she was talking about me, and my goals; mom was hooking me up already. So I just want to finish school and start working hard to find my way onto somebody's bench.
Why did you choose Tulane University?
The academics. Tulane has a strong history of academics. I could have gone to other schools, but their athlete graduation rates are unbelievable. They take kids in, put them on the field and beat 'em up for 4-5 years. Then [when] their scholarship is over, they don't have a degree, and they don't know what to do. With Tulane, I know I will be prepared for life.
What is your personal philosophy?
There's nothing to it but to do it.
Who are the people that have influenced your athletic career?
My Mom and my Dad. It started when I was little bitty, my Dad put me out on the field. Those are my biggest fans. At every game, I knew if one couldn't make it, the other always would. In high school, and even now, I can find them in the stands during the game.
What's the best advice you have ever been given?
No matter what you are going through, keep your head up. Don't let anyone see you weakened and moping around, because some people will try to take advantage of that. Just keep your head up, stay strong, and everything will be alright.
What class would you recommended to other students?
I would recommend my criminal justice class with Dr. Wade Shawn. We just took a trip to Angola [State Prison], so that was a reality check. I do like the field of criminal justice, and I enjoy the class because of the stories Dr. Shawn tells from his own experiences. It's still a class, but it's fun. He keeps us on our toes, and all of the students enjoy his class.
Who is your favorite actor?
I don't want to say Denzel or Halle, because they always get used. You know Danny Glover is a great actor. He does so much, and people just don't appreciate him. They just want to look at Denzel and Halle saying `oh they look good', and they are ignoring the great works that Danny Glover has done. We're going to give him some props right now; he deserves them. He spoke out against all the singers that are coming in stealing jobs away from the actors. He's a stand up guy.
What is your favorite food?
Shrimp and oyster fondue from Pappadeux. Ahh, It's the best. It's cheese fondue with shrimp and oysters and garlic bread and it is to die for. That is my favorite. If you are ever in Houston, go to any of the Pappa's restaurants and order it.
What is your dream vacation destination?
I went to Cancun last year for my senior trip, and that was a lot of fun. We had all worked hard for four years, so we deserved the break. But I was talking to one of my friends at Loyola, and she said that she went to Fiji. You really don't hear much about places like that, so I think a trip to Fiji would be so nice.
If you could invite any three people for dinner, who would they be and why?
I would take my grandmother. She is just so wise. She's been through a lot, and I love her so much, so I would want her to be there. She's always giving me advice and keeping me straight. [National security advisor] Condoleeza Rice, because I just want to pick her brain. I would love to know what's going on in that head of hers. I think my granny would have some questions for her too. I'll have to think more about the last one.
Who is your favorite teacher ever?
Judy Douglas, my fifth grade social studies teacher. I nominated her for teacher of the year a while ago. She helped me decide which junior high to go to. She was a wonderful teacher, and at the same time, if the entire class did poorly on a test, she would rip it up, throw it away, and take us back through the chapter because she felt like she did not teach it right. I think she's still at my old elementary school. The lady is great, and she really loves kids.
In your opinion, who is the best player at your position?
Deacon Jones. He started a little head slap move. It's illegal now, but he is the one that christened that move and put it into the game. Whoa, he's just so violent, you know. Awe, that's who I would take to dinner too. He is the best at my position, yes he is. I would have dinner with my grandmother, Dorothy Williams; Condoleeza Rice; and Deacon Jones.
What is the worst part about living in dorms?
I don't mind them too much, but I don't like the quiet hours. I don't get that. I'm living in Patterson, which is substance free, but I'm fine with that, I don't do that anyway. But one night me and my roommate were sitting outside listening to the radio. It wasn't even that loud, and an RA came up and started going off on us 15 minutes BEFORE quiet hours, saying she didn't want to have a problem later. She was just so rude. If I was a rude person I would have said something rude back, but I'm not like that.
What is your favorite moment with a fan?
When I was in high school I was walking across the park with my dad. A lady just came up to me saying, `oh, you're Avery Williams!' She had her baby with her, and when she came up to us she asked me to kiss her baby. That was crazy to me. She took a picture of it too. Only in Texas would you find a high school football fan like that.
What cartoon character does Coach Scelfo remind you of?
He's like the Roadrunner. He's everywhere. He's always working in somebody's position telling them to get better, get better, get better. He's all over the place, and if he's not doing football somewhere, he's talking about it with somebody. He runs around a bit too much, that's why he's like the roadrunner. But I tell you what, all you have to do is tell him you want to talk and he'll be there.
What is your favorite TV show?
I don't watch much TV. But I do like the "Real World", I'm a big fan. I'm been watching since the New York season, the first one, not the back to New York. My dad hates it, but it's reality TV at it's best. You never know what's going to go on. Me and my friends watch every Tuesday, and on Wednesday we just go from class to class talking about what happened.
What is your favorite movie?
"Silence of the Lambs." I liked it. I liked how Hannibal Lecter would call Clairece's name. It's a mystery, I liked it.
What is your favorite sports movie?
"Friday Night Lights" is a great movie. It does a great job of depicting the intensity of high school football in Texas. If you're not from there, you just can't understand how huge it is. Entire towns will get together to support their team. It's really phenomenal. I can really relate to what went on in the movie.
If you could see anyone perform in concert, who would it be?
I'm a little biased, I love my hometown girl, Beyonce. She's a great performer, she can sing. I saw her in the Destiny's Child tour with Nelly and everybody, and she puts on a great show. She's got it all. I saw her at the rodeo last year with Missy and Alicia Keyes. Beyonce has the entire package. I got love for Kelly Rowland too, she went to Lamar High School, so I've got to support my alumni.
What do you do before a game to get yourself ready?
Coach Scelfo gave us a list of Keys to the Game, and our position coach gives us a cheat sheet to remember, so I usually just look over those. I don't turn on a CD or anything rowdy. I think that you know what you have to do, and you know what's expected of you, so you should just go out and do it. I try to stay calm and relaxed and go do what I have to do. There's nothing to it but to do it.
If you could beat any school in football, who would it be?
I'll say LSU. Aren't they on the schedule next year? I have a lot of friends there, and I think it's a big rivalry for the whole state of Louisiana. It would be nice for us to go over to Baton Rouge and upset them. It would be an upset to them, but expected by us. If we could finish that up next year, it would just be awesome. We might tear down the goal posts in the Superdome. I don't think the Saints would like that too much.
What's your most memorable Tulane moment?
Being in the game last week after that last-minute touchdown. We were up against the number 24 team in the nation. Nobody expected it but us. We had our home crowd, for the Homecoming game, the fans were going crazy. There were 30 seconds left on the clock, and we had to stop them. We did it, and we won the game. We just upset the #24 team in the nation; we did a great job. That's my best moment.
How has being a student athlete at Tulane helped or changed you? It hasn't changed me. I come from a strong academic high school, so I'm facing a lot of the same issues. Football here is more time-consuming, you have to get up for the early practices and everything, but you still have to make the grades. Those 6:30 practices are probably my biggest challenge. I try to go to sleep early, and people know not to call me late, because my phone is off. I'll get my sleep. But nothing ha really changed, I'm still Avery.
Is there anyone you would like to give special thanks to?
Special thanks to my Mom, my Dad and my brother. My brother's playing football too, so my parents split their time between New Orleans and New Mexico, where he's at. They still make the games, and they support both of us equally. The four of us are all so close, and people would look at my brother and I and say how my parents raised two great kids. It's because they are two great parents. They stand behind us, all of the time. I have a special shout out to my parents, just to tell them I love them and we're going to try to win this game for them.
