Williams was at the forefront of getting the NFL to allow players to wear pink during games in OctoberTONY FLOREZ
Former NFLer DeAngelo Williams did not hold back during an interview at the '18 Intersport Brand Engagement and Content Summit, marking his own introduction with a direct reference to his efforts in raising breast cancer awareness across his 11-year NFL career. “I helped start the pink in the NFL. I don’t take full credit because Roger Goodell doesn’t let us do that.” That opening statement helped set the tone in Williams’ Q&A with SBJ’s Ben Fischer, where they touched on both serious subjects, such as Williams’ philanthropy, and lighter fare like his advice on how to handle social media trolls. Williams, who was at the forefront of getting the league to allow players to wear pink during October, still has little positive to say about his dealings with the NFL in that venture. Williams in ’15 was denied the right to wear pink throughout the season by the league office. Asked to describe his work with the league on that front, he said, “It was never a marriage. It’s more like the NFL had multiple wives and I was one of them -- but not the main one. I just got Sundays.” Williams said he started his eponymous foundation out of a desire to help people after years of dealing with his family’s own tragic history with the disease. But he was curt when asked how the NFL helped or hurt his cause. “Their marketing juices got going, but where they saw things going was a lot different than my own views.” However, Williams did give the league some credit for his philanthropic deeds. “The best thing about the NFL is the fact that you can’t get that platform anywhere else. It’s stood the test of time and people will always attention to it.”
TALKING SOCIAL: Williams has garnered attention for his social media use in recent years -- whether it be criticizing Peyton Manning on the day of the QB's retirement or taking shots at the Patriots’ long-term success. But the running back was not always so outspoken on social platforms, especially in the beginning. Williams said while at the Univ. of Memphis he started his very first email account, but at the same time, found it hard to trust. His solution? Just use his cousin’s name instead. Williams has come a long way since then, but is still reluctant to divulge too much personal information to followers on Twitter and Instagram. “It’s amazing how social media has changed the landscape of who you are. I’m still afraid of it. Social media brings down people everyday.” Williams said he initially had to reevaluate his strategy when sharing, as he can be unfiltered at times. Williams said of the brushback he received after the Manning comments, “All these people putting me down have never played a football game. But I took that bump on the chin.” Williams said he now playfully trolls back those who come after him on social, albeit in a calm, above the belt manner.
Quick Hits:
* How should the NFL have handled the anthem issue? “Do nothing. It’s like how I don’t understand what women or gays are going through. The people making these decisions are not the ones affected by inequality.“
* A mistake he regrets earlier in life? Williams said he literally committed to every college he visited on recruiting trips. "They want you to commit that day, and I was always like, ‘Yeah, I'm definitely going here!"
* On his preferred social platform: “Twitter, because of its real time feedback. Instagram is more for pictures. I have no idea why Snapchat was created.”
* As an admitted wrestling fan, what is WWE doing right? “Nothing. Wrestling has one owner. When anything happens (Vince McMahon’s) not reactive enough at all."
