Football Daily

---

Born March 29, 1955, in Tyler, Texas, was Earl Campbell the powerful back of the Texas Longhorns from 1974 through 1977. His nickname forever ties him to his hometown as Earl is still called "the Tyler Rose" as he pounded out big gains at the University of Texas.

The NFF says he rushed for 4,443 yards. This was the fifth highest total of all time when he retired. His rushing covered 928 yards as a freshman, 1118 as a sophomore, 653 as a junior (he missed four games), and 1,744 as a senior.

Campbell was All-America as a sophomore and senior, led the nation in rushing and scoring and won the Heisman Trophy in 1977. He had an amazing 21 times where he rushed over 100 yards and three over 200 yards rushing in games.

The Houston Oilers during the 1978 NFL Draft wasted no time in turning their draft pick card with the first player selected to the Commissioner that had the name of Earl Campbell on it. Earl played 8 seasons with the Oilers and earned a rushing title, the distinction as an All-Pro and was selected to play in three Pro Bowls. The 1980 season as his best as he pounded out 1934 yards with 4 games over 200 yards.

For his NFL career, he amassed 9407 yards rushing and 74 TDs with another 806 yards on 121 receptions. Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrined Earl Campbell in 1991.

Forget flashy interceptions and highlight-reel pick-sixes. Aeneas Williams, the "Shutdown Corner King," ruled the gridiron with a different kind of dominance – relentless defense, suffocating coverage, and an unwavering commitment to shutting down the league's best receivers. This essay tackles the remarkable career of Williams, a cornerback whose impact on the game transcended statistics and earned him a well-deserved spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

-Early Life, From Small-School Star to NFL Champion

Born January 29, 1968 - The great defensive back from Southern University, Aeneas Williams was born. He honed his skills at Southern University, racking up interceptions and showcasing exceptional technique.

-NFL Career

Drafted in the third round by the Phoenix Cardinals (later Arizona Cardinals) in 1991, Williams wasn't a household name. But his talent was undeniable. The Cardinals saw his potential, and Williams quickly blossomed into a lockdown corner. His career highlights are a defensive coordinator's dream.

-Eight Pro Bowls: A testament to his consistent excellence, Williams was a constant presence among the league's elite defensive backs.

-NFL interceptions co-leader (1994): He shut down opposing offenses with such efficiency that he shared the league lead in interceptions alongside some of the most feared defenders of his era.

-Three First-Team All-Pro selections: His dominance wasn't just respected, it was undeniable. These honors showcase the years where he was considered the absolute best at his position.

-Super Bowl Champion (St. Louis Rams, 2000): While his career was primarily spent with the Cardinals, Williams found championship glory later in his career with the St.. Louis Rams.

-Beyond the Stats

A Masterful Technician: What truly set Williams apart was his technique. His footwork was impeccable, allowing him to mirror even the most elusive receivers. He possessed exceptional ball skills, consistently breaking up passes and coming away with interceptions. Most importantly, Williams had the mentality of a true shutdown corner – he wasn't afraid to challenge receivers at the line of scrimmage and disrupt their routes all game long.

Aeneas played in the NFL for 14 seasons after being the Arizona Cardinals 3rd round pick in 1991. For his first 12 seasons, he manned the cornerback position and then moved to Safety for his final two years.

Williams played in 8 Pro Bowls and recorded 55 career interceptions with 807 yards returned off of them. One of his highlight moments occurred in a 2000 game against Washington when he returned a fumble 104 yards for a score. The Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrined Aeneas Williams in 2014.