Byron Williams may have fudged a bit on his height when he played in the NFL, Canadian Football League and World League.
All three leagues listed him as being 6-foot-2, but some in Texarkana think of the former Liberty-Eylau and University of Texas-Arlington receiver as being a giant.
Figuratively speaking, Williams has been a giant for the community. He's hosting his 23rd annual Football Camp today on the Texas Middle School grounds, hoping to plant a seed that grows in nearly 100 young campers.
Crime has been on the climb locally, some young people involved in gang activity, and others dropping out of school.
"One of the things that helped me was my coaches growing up; I was also fortunate to have two parents, and I had great teachers," Williams said. "You've got to keep kids active and busy, and possibly in some kind of after school programs. You need to get the churches in Texarkana more involved. That's the only thing that's going to solve some of these problems."
After playing professionally for 13 years, Williams has made his home in Arlington, Texas, and played a major role in the NFL Players Association. He was president of the Dallas-area chapter the past four years.
Williams has participated in every NFL Weekend that Texarkana has celebrated, and he's largely responsible for bringing several former standouts to the city to help with his camp.
Texarkana's own Mike Cherry and Tra Carson are expected to volunteer their services today. Cherry was a star quarterback at Arkansas High, and Carson rewrote Liberty-Eylau's record book, eclipsing those set by former teammate LaMichael James. Eric Warfield, Brandon Jones, Earnest Rhone, Dennis Woodberry, Ramos McDonald are just a few other locals who played professionally.
"There's lots of kids growing up with only one parent in the house; that's tough, but it's still mind-boggling to me that kids think they can drop out of school and make it," Williams said. "Five or six years down the road they will be asking themselves,'what was I thinking?'
"There's no easy answers. We definitely need the churches involved. Kids need to learn biblical principles. Churches keep you rooted and grounded, and you have a lot of people praying for you. I know I'm here on a lot of people's prayers. A lot of us today grew up on the foundation of the church."
Williams is convinced that the majority of kids understand what's at stake, but still far too many have strayed off path.
"That's why I keep coming back and try to bring a positive message," he said. "It's a different world since I was growing up. Social media has changed everything. It's sad to see what's happening in some of the bigger cities, and then you're reading about it from coast-to-coast in a few seconds.
"My prayer is that we go back to the grass roots; you have to say something about the biblical side, and some of the churches need to get more involved. City leaders and elected officials have got to get more involved.
"When I talk to these kids I tell them to try and look at both sides of an issue from both sides of the fence. I always say treat people like you want to be treated. You've got to be respectful to authority."
Williams noted he had recently visited Fort Hood, and witnessed the respect and discipline of the young recruits.
"Military life can be the foundation for what our youth needs," he said.
Williams expects a good turnover today because he held a camp at Flower Mound, Texas, a year ago, where Texas High coach Gerry Stanford was then employed.
"Flozell Adams and Greg Ellis were helping at that camp; I know Coach Stanford is pushing the kids at Texas High to come out and participate," Williams said.
Among the former players at TMS today will be Shreveport native Roosevelt Collins, a member of the Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl champions in 1995, having played most of his career with the Miami Dolphins. He attended Booker T. Washington High School in Shreveport, and is planning his first camp July 29.
"Roosevelt has been a big part of what we're doing in Texarkana, and I would hope our community will support his camp," Williams said. "The money raised down there will help BTW buy uniforms and gear for the high school team. They have minimum funding for their team."
It's doubtful anyone will ever be saying Williams hasn't at least tried to give back to Texarkana in a positive way.