Williams takes over NFL lead in rushing touchdowns

Williams takes over NFL lead in rushing touchdowns
December 22
Gaston Gazette
"Vinny Testaverde's career with the Carolina Panthers was brief and relatively uneventful.

But the longtime NFL quarterback left a lasting impression on running back DeAngelo Williams before he retired at the end of last season. Earlier this week Williams said a heart-to-heart talk with Testaverde last year has forever changed the course of his career.

On Sunday night, Williams responded to a Pro Bowl snub by tying his own team record with four touchdown runs Sunday night to take the NFL lead in with 20 overall, including 18 on the ground.

Williams refused to discuss the details of the talk with Testaverde, but said, "I think he's probably impacted my season the most this year because of the conversation that we had before he left. He left me with some things that I'm going to leave (Jonathan) Stew(art) with whenever it's my time to hang it up, because he's very inspirational."

Williams said the conversation was lengthy and made "perfect sense" to him.

"From the film room down just to work ethic and everything of that nature," Williams said. "He really left me with some things that really touched me and stayed on my heart, as you can tell from this season."

Williams described Testaverde as a man "full of wisdom."

"He knows a lot about football, in and out and every position," Williams said. "It started with the Arizona game and it kind of trickled down from there. After the Arizona game we started talking and then right before he was about to leave and he announced his retirement we talked for a little while. He left me with some very good information. It made me think about some things.

"After that I sat down and had a long talk with myself -- I'm not crazy to tell you -- but it made perfect sense. That's primarily the reason I'm having the season that I'm having this year. Hopefully I can carry it on to seasons to come."

IN THE LOCKER ROOM: Coach John Fox was clearly looking for some positives Sunday night after an otherwise devastating defeat.

"We're in the playoffs," Fox said. "That was a goal in the season. The team a year ago that won the Super Bowl (the Giants), it wasn't a number one seed. I don't think there's been a team taht's won it in awhile (as the first seed). That would have been something. It was something that we had as a priority, but it just wasn't meant to be.""
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