By Malcolm Butler
Milton Williams, Jr., always dreamed of hearing his name called on draft night.
In 2021, it finally happened … just about 30 years later than he had originally hoped.
However, the father of Philadelphia Eagles defensive lineman Milton Williams, III., was probably more excited for his son.
“He is doing something I dreamed of doing come out of a small town in South Florida,” said Mr. Williams, who played football at Trinity Valley Community College and basketball at Texas College. “I always wanted my name to be called on draft night back in the early 90s, but my name wasn’t called. But in 2021 my name was called … Milton Williams. They still called it.”
On that night in 2021, Milton Williams, III was selected in the third round of the NFL Draft by the Eagles following a three-year career with Louisiana Tech.
And four years later, he is a Super Bowl Champion after the Eagles 40-22 win over the Kansas City Chiefs this past Sunday in New Orleans.
“I have been telling my parents that I don’t think I could have drawn it up any better,” said Milton. “You dream of those types of moments, especially in the Super Bowl. It really hasn’t sunk in yet, but I am definitely happy to come out with a Super Bowl ring.”
His success in the NFL and his performance on Sunday, arguably his best game of the 2024 season which included four tackles, two sacks and a fumble recovery, didn’t happen just by chance.
No, it’s taken a lot of hard work and sacrifice over the years, a mindset that was pounded into him on a daily basis by his dad at a young age.
“Milton works his butt off,” said Mr. Williams. “He was underrated (in high school). I always told him, ‘You have to be 10 times better then the next man.’ And he listened to me. In the summertime in high school, I would give him workouts and we would work out together. He learned then.”
Although Dad does remember one time that son didn’t take care of his workouts.
“I came home and (his twin sister) Mia had done her workout, but Milton hadn’t done his,” said Mr. Williams. “So I had to take his PlayStation and his cell phone. Once he finally got it in his head, it was all she wrote. He started working it. He started working it. And look at him now. I’m just so proud of my kids.”
The work has paid dividends, something Milton doesn’t take for granted.
“(The NFL) makes you grow up fast,” said Milton. “There isn’t a lot of time to kick back and chill if you want to take advantage of the opportunity that they are going to give to you. While you are kicked back chilling, somebody else is out there busting their butt trying to get what you got or get the opportunity that you wasted. I pride myself on taking advantage of the opportunities that I get.”
And take advantage he has.
After graduating from Crowley High School in Texas where he recorded over 300 tackles and 22 sacks in his prep career, Milton signed with Louisiana Tech. During his three years in a Bulldog uniform, he registered 108 tackles and 10.5 sacks before foregoing his senior year to declare for the NFL Draft.
Milton said he still represents the red and blue even though these days he’s wearing green.
“I will always look back and appreciate Louisiana Tech,” said Milton. “I wasn’t really highly recruited. Louisiana Tech was the first school to offer me a scholarship. I will always be appreciative of them. My time there was great. I got my opportunity and took advantage of it.”
Following Sunday’s win over the Chiefs, Milton was joined on the Caesar’s Superdome floor by the rest of his family. It gave the Williams family an opportunity to celebrate together.
“My dad wasn’t around when I was trying to play ball, but I made sure I was around for them,” said Mr. Williams. “I never missed a game. It didn’t matter what sport it was, I didn’t miss.”
“Without God and my family I wouldn’t be in this situation,” said Milton. “They have seen it all. They know how hard I’ve worked. They know how hard I prepare and how I take care of my body. They know everything that I have been through, and they have been there with me every step of the way. Who else better to enjoy that moment with then your family.”
Milton, who lives in New Jersey instead of Philadelphia because “I have more elbow room in Jersey,” is a free agent now that the 2024 NFL season has concluded. Will he return to Philadelphia or will some other lucky professional franchise sign him?
“This was last year of my deal with the Eagles,” said Milton. “We will see what happens. I’m gong to look at all my options.”
And following his performance in Super Bowl LIV, the big man should have plenty of them. Oh, and a nice shiny new Super Bowl ring to take with him.
