In Sunday’s San Francisco 49ers vs. Kansas City Chiefs rematch of Super Bowl LIV, the NFL got a taste of what Fayetteville State football fans have savored the last several years.
Chiefs rookie cornerback Joshua Williams, a Jack Britt High alum who was drafted last season after four years with four-time reigning CIAA Southern Division champion Fayetteville State, came up with a huge play to preserve Kansas City’s lead heading into halftime and spark a second-quarter run that ended with a 44-23 win over San Franciso.
Holding a 14-13 advantage with 1:33 left in the first half and the 49ers in the red zone at San Francisco’s Levi’s Stadium, Williams grabbed a goal-line interception for his first pick as a pro.
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The 49ers were looking to punch in a score after recovering a fumbled punt on the KC 12-yard line with 1:55 remaining in the first half.
After a short gain by recently acquired running back Christian McCaffrey from Carolina and a short pass to Deebo Samuel, the 49ers faced a third-and-goal at the 5-yard line.
Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo threw to the left side of the end zone and Williams was waiting to high-point the pass behind receiver Ray-Ray McCloud III.
Williams ran it back to the 8-yard line and teammates surrounded him to celebrate.
One of only six players from HBCU programs who made opening-day rosters in the NFL, Williams has played in all seven games for AFC West-leading Kansas City (5-2) this season. He entered Sunday’s game with 10 tackles, seven solo, and a pass defense.
Williams, an HBCU All-American, was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft in April with the 135th overall pick.
A 6-foot-3, speedy defender with a 36-inch vertical jump, Williams worked his way to the pro ranks to make plays like he did Sunday.
