Kyle Williams gives back to Ruston High

Former Ruston High School and LSU defensive lineman Kyle Williams is giving back to his hometown.

Williams, now a starting Pro Bowl lineman with the NFL’s Buffalo Bills, recently received a grant through being selected to the 2014 USA Football All-Fundamental team. Williams and Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning were named captains of the All-Fundamentals team. Only 26 of the more than 1,696 players each year are selected as part of selection for the team, Williams was given a $1,000 grant which he donated to Ruston High School for the football program.

Ruston coach Brad Laird said helmets, shoulder pads and practice dummies were bought with the donation.

“Anytime you get a grant to use on these young men that we work with every day, it helps your program,” Laird said. “That is what it is all about: how can we help these young men?”

The selection committee was comprised of USA Football spokesperson Charles Davis, former New York Jets and current ESPN NFL analyst Herm Edwards, Former NFL running back and ESPN NFL analyst Merril Hoge, Former NFL executive and USA Football chairman Carl Peterson and former NFL general manager and ESPN NFL analyst Bill Polian.

Williams and Manning are joined on the All-Fundamentals team by Bears running back Matt Forte, Packers fullback John Kuhn, Colts wide receiver Reggie Wayne, Lions wide receiver Golden Tate, Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, Eagles offensive tackle Jason Peters, Cowboys offensive guard Zack Martin, Panthers center Ryan Kalil, Browns offensive tackle Joe Thomas, Ravens offensive guard Marshal Yanda, Dolphins defensive end Cameron Wake, Jets defensive end Sheldon Richardson, Buccaneers defensive tackle Gerald McCoy, Raiders linebacker Khalil Mack, Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly, Chiefs linebacker Tamba Hali, Colts cornerback Vontae Davis, Bengals cornerback Terence Newman, Redskins safety ryan Clark, Seahawks safety Earl Thomas, Ravens return specialist Jacoby Jones, Cardinals kicker Chandler Catanzaro, Seahawks punter Jon Ryan and Vikings long snapper Cullen Loeffler.

Laird said that the fact the panel chose Williams among all the candidates shows the impact he has made on and off of the field.

“What he has done on and off the field as a leader, this tells you what people think about him,” Laird said. “He means a lot to Ruston High School. He is here in the offseason, lifting weights and showing our young men what it takes to be successful.”

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