The Philadelphia Eagles made a couple of roster moves on Thursday. One was noteworthy: the release of 51-year-old Bernard Williams, who had not played for Philly since 1994.
Williams, the 14th overall pick out of Georgia in the 1994 NFL draft, made the All-Rookie team before being suspended for multiple failed drug tests.
The 6-foot-8, 317-pound Williams never returned, finding homes in the CFL, XFL and AFL.
The two players the Eagles waived today, per the NFL’s official transaction log: Myles Jack from reserve/retired list, and Bernard Williams from reserve/suspended list.
Bernard Williams hasn’t played since 1994. The Eagles’ current LT, Jordan Mailata, was not yet born. pic.twitter.com/3CwCxhc6im
— Zach Berman (@ZBerm) November 17, 2023
The Philadelphia Daily News spoke to Williams in 2001:
He tried to apply for reinstatement in the spring of ’96, but couldn’t convince the league he had stopped using marijuana. He still hadn’t gone to a drug-treatment facility, and hadn’t been tested since his suspension.
“I still hadn’t gotten a grip on my marijuana use,” Williams said. “People from the league told me I wasn’t ready for reinstatement. They said it would be best for me if I didn’t apply at that time. That’s when I kind of said forget it.
“I still wanted to play in the NFL. But I was bitter about what went on. I figured that at some point and time, I’d get sick of just sitting around and not playing and give it another try.”
The article explains why the Eagles still had the rights to Williams, who was never reinstated to the NFL.
Because Williams still was under contract to the Eagles when he was suspended in ’95, they still own his NFL rights, though it remains to be seen how much interest they would have in him if he does get reinstated.
