Ex San Jose State University football player Mark Williams discusses life as a college athlete as we
As humans we tend to get angry when certain things happen to us in life. For example, playing sports during our youth years and not receiving an adequate amount of playing time. Sitting on the bench during crucial moments in games is demoralizing. As a competitor you want to play in every minute of a game to help your team win. Since the beginning of professional sports athletes have requested trades to different teams for various reasons. College athletes cannot request to be traded to another college. However, they can put in a request to transfer to another college if they wish to do so.
Being a college athlete requires a commitment to both academics and practicing for games. Mark Williams who is a former college football linebacker for the San Jose State Spartans spoke recently conducted an interview with the author of this article. In the interview Williams discussed his reactions to the Kawhi Leonard, Kyrie Irving and Jimmy Butler trades. Williams said “I think Irving, Butler, and Leonard should have handle their situations differently but they ultimately have to do what is best for them. Butler being a vet player should have set a better example for the younger players instead of leaving the Timberwolves", Williams said. He also talked not being highly recruited for football during high school which upset him. Williams then went on to talk about how he was a walk on player for San Jose State.
A walk on player is not awarded a scholarship they have to try out and make the team.“There are times you traveling to games and you don’t get in”, Williams said which angered him. Williams was asked did he ever consider transferring to a different college and this was his response “I did I came really really close my sophomore year. I was going to go down to San Diego State or UCLA and walk on enroll into their engineering program. I was just going to go back home”, Williams said. Williams ultimately chose to stay and eventually graduated from San Jose State University with a bachelor’s degree in engineering. Williams explained his relationship with his position coach and defensive coordinator were great. He went on to say “They always kept it real with me”, Williams said which he appreciates them for that. When asked what kind of advice would he give to current and future college athletes “Always continue to study and train hard”, Williams said.
