Linebacker Vince Williams announced his retirement today after an eight-year career in the National Football League, all with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
"Vince Williams notified us today that he will retire from the game of football," said Steelers General Manager and Vice President, Kevin Colbert. "We respect his decision and want to thank him for his time with us as he consistently showed great character and leadership in addition to his contributions on the field. We wish Vince and his family all the best."
Williams played in 14 regular-season games (14 starts) in 2020. He registered 70 tackles (47 solo), including 14 for loss, 3.0 sacks, four quarterback hits and two fumble recoveries. His 14 tackles for loss last season ranked fifth in the NFL.
Williams recorded two or more tackles for loss in the first three games of the '20 season, and five games overall. His 12 tackles for loss were tied for the third most by any player over the first six games of a season since 1999. J.J. Watt (Houston, 2012, 15) and Von Miller (Denver, 2012, 13) were the only players with more tackles for loss over the first six games of a season since 1999.
Williams was originally drafted by the Steelers in the sixth round (206th overall) of the 2013 NFL Draft. In 121 career regular-season games (69 starts), Williams totaled 444 tackles, 48 tackles for loss, 43 quarterback hits, 20.5 sacks, five passes defensed, five fumble recoveries and two interceptions, including one returned for a TD.
Only 10 players from Williams' original draft class played in more NFL games over his career and all 10 players were drafted ahead of the sixth rounder out of Florida State.
