Damien Williams explained why he decided to opt out the 2020 Chiefs season.
The Kansas City Chiefs have two players who have so far decided to officially opt out of the 2020 season with the global COVID-19 pandemic hanging like a cloud over the entire year. However, to hear Damien Williams tell his story, it’s clear the running back had no real choice in front of him. He needed to be there for his mother.
In a recent interview with Sirius XM NFL radio, the Chiefs back explained that his mother recently was tragically diagnosed with cancer. As he details his situation, Williams feels like he’s been given the chance to be there for someone who has always been his “rock.”
“I’m dealing with a family matter,” he said. “My mom was just diagnosed with cancer, and it’s stage 4, so y’know, there was no other… that was my decision. With everything that’s going on, she was the only one there for me. I never had the opportunity to have my dad there. My mom is my rock, my everything. During a hard time like this, I think I should be next to her every step.”
Williams stated that he only spoke with Chiefs general manager Brett Veach when he made his decision and called the team. As he said, everything has happened so fast that he will likely get a chance in the future to talk to his head coach and teammates. Williams did say that it was difficult to not “run it back” with his teammates after such an exciting year to remember.
“It was hard. I sat down and talked to everybody in my circle, my family and everybody close to me,” said Williams. “My mom just said whatever the decision, I’m behind you. At the end of the day, it’s hard. Football is my life, especially coming off of a championship and wanting to do a repeat. I know they’re going to handle that, but at the end of the day, it’s just something personal I had to handle.”
Williams has been a postseason hero for the Chiefs in each of the last two seasons with 10 total touchdowns in only five games. His performance in Super Bowl LIV in particular made many in Chiefs Kingdom believe he was worthy of the game’s MVP award.
Williams rushed 111 times for 498 yards and 5 touchdowns for the Chiefs in 2019.