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Williams tabbed for entry into Texas Sports Hall of Fame on Monday
Nov. 28, 2012 WACO, Texas - Former Texas Football running back and Heisman Trophy winner Ricky Williams will be inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame on Monday, February 18. The 2012 class also includes former Longhorn softball player Cat Osterman, New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, former Dallas Cowboys running back Walt Garrison, former Milwaukee Braves third baseman Eddie Mathews, former Lubbock Monterey High School baseball coach Bobby Moegle, former San Antonio High School and NBA basketball champion Shaquille O'Neal. The inductees will appear at a sold-out reception at the Texas Sports Hall of Fame followed by a banquet at the Ferrell Center in Waco, Texas. Williams will be the 16th inductee with ties to Texas football. Williams played running back for the University of Texas from 1995-1998. The Heisman winner was also was named the Maxwell Award winner, Walter Camp Foundation Player of the Year and the Associated Press Player of the Year in his senior year. Additionally, he was a two-time Doak Walker Award recipient (first-ever) in 1997 and 1998. Williams finished his intercollegiate career with 21 NCAA records and 46 University of Texas all-time marks. He left Texas holding NCAA records for career rushing yards (6,279), all-purpose yards (7,206), rushing TDs (72), and total TDs (75). Williams also claimed back-to-back NCAA rushing titles as a junior and senior. After being selected fifth overall by the New Orleans Saints in the 1999 NFL Draft, Williams established himself as one of the NFL's premier running backs. He rushed for 3,129 yards and 16 TDs and accumulated 1,092 receiving yards on 132 passes with a pair of TDs in 38 games (all starts) for the Saints. Williams was then traded to the Miami Dolphins in 2002 where he led the league in rushing yards (1,853) and earned Pro Bowl honors, including the Pro Bowl MVP. He played eight seasons for the Dolphins between 2002-2010 including a short stint in the CFL for the Toronto Argonauts in 2006. In his final season, Williams was traded to Baltimore helping the Ravens advance to the AFC Championship Game in 2011 before retiring.
Williams is one of just 26 players in NFL history to rush for more than 10,000 yards. He totaled 10,009 career rushing yards and 66 rushing TDs over his career. He also had 342 receptions for 2,606 receiving yards.
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