Mario Williams

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Lore & Background

When the Houston Texans held the first overall pick in the 2006 NFL draft, most analysts expected them to select Reggie Bush. Instead, they chose Mario Williams, signing him to a six-year, $54 million contract. He made an immediate impact, recording his first sack and a half against the Miami Dolphins' Daunte Culpepper in the Texans' first win of the 2006 season. In 2007, he answered his critics by finishing with 14 sacks, accounting for 48 percent of the Texans' total through 15 games. He was a first-team All-Pro selection by the Sporting News that year, though he was only voted an alternate to the Pro Bowl. After the 2008 season, he was selected for his first Pro Bowl as a starter and again named first-team All-Pro by the Sporting News. Injuries began to take a toll in 2010, when an inflamed hernia placed him on injured reserve, and in 2011, a torn pectoral muscle ended his season after just five sacks. His contract ended that year, and he left Houston as the franchise's all-time leader in sacks (53) and forced fumbles (11).

In Their Own Story

On October 1, 2006, the Texans were still searching for their first win of the season. Mario Williams lined up against the Miami Dolphins and brought down quarterback Daunte Culpepper for his first sack and a half in the NFL. The Texans won 17–15. Three weeks later, against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Williams sacked Byron Leftwich and recovered a fumble in a 27–7 upset. The 2007 season brought his defining moment: in the season opener, he made five tackles, two sacks, and returned a fumble by Kansas City Chiefs fullback Kris Wilson for a touchdown. Before a game against the Colts, coach Tony Dungy compared Williams to Dwight Freeney. Williams then sacked Peyton Manning for his first sack of the year. He finished 2007 with 14 sacks, and the Sporting News named him first-team All-Pro. On December 1, 2008, in the Texans' first ever Monday Night Football game, Williams recorded three sacks and a forced fumble, earning his first Pro Bowl selection as a starter.

Reader's Guide

Mario Williams played defensive end for the Houston Texans from 2006 to 2011, starting all 16 games in each of his first four seasons. He transitioned to outside linebacker in 2011 before a torn pectoral muscle ended his season. His style was defined by relentless pass rushing: in 2007, he accounted for 48 percent of the Texans' sacks through 15 games, a higher percentage than any other player in the league. He was a first-team All-Pro selection by the Sporting News in 2007 and 2008, and was selected to the Pro Bowl after the 2008 and 2009 seasons. He left Houston holding franchise records for career sacks (53) and forced fumbles (11), both later surpassed by J. J. Watt. His 2007 season answered critics who questioned his top draft pick status, and his performance in the Texans' first Monday Night Football game in 2008—three sacks and a forced fumble—remains a highlight of his tenure.

Did You Know?

• Williams' high school number (82) was retired at Richlands High School.
• He set the NC State all-time sack record in just three seasons; it stood until 2017 when Bradley Chubb broke it in his fourth season.
• In 2007, Williams accounted for 48 percent of the Texans' sacks through 15 games, a higher percentage than any other player in the league.
• He returned a fumble by Kansas City Chiefs fullback Kris Wilson for a touchdown in the 2007 season opener.
• Williams donated five Chevrolet Camaros to the Houston Police Department in 2011 and five Dodge Chargers in 2013.

High School Dominance and Early Promise

Williams attended Richlands High School in Richlands, North Carolina, where he was a two-sport star in football and track. As a senior, he recorded 87 tackles, 13 sacks, 22 tackles for loss, five forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and five blocked kicks. He also played running back due to injuries at that position, rushing for 590 yards and three touchdowns on 58 carries. As a junior, he recorded over 100 tackles. He was selected to the 2002 North Carolina Shrine Bowl team, where he notched four sacks. He was an Associated Press All-State selection in 2002 and one of three North Carolina high school players named to FoxSN's 2002 Countdown to Signing Day All-South team. His high school number (82) was retired. He also competed in track and field, qualifying for state in the shot put with a top throw of 52-5 (16.05m). He was ranked No. 8 in SuperPrep's Elite 50 overall and considered the fifth-best defensive end in the country by BorderWars.com, while Rivals100.com ranked him ninth.

College Record and Draft Selection

Williams attended North Carolina State University and played for the NC State Wolfpack from 2003 to 2005. In only three seasons, he set the school's all-time sack record, a mark that stood until 2017 when it was broken by Bradley Chubb, a player in his fourth season with the team. Despite draft analysts predicting the Houston Texans would pick Reggie Bush with the first overall pick in the 2006 NFL draft, they instead selected Williams and signed him to a six-year, $54 million contract.

Houston Tenure and Defensive Evolution

Williams started all 16 games as a rookie in 2006, recording 47 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and one forced fumble. In 2007, he started all 16 games with 59 total tackles and 14 sacks. He had particularly big games against the Denver Broncos and Tennessee Titans, sacking Jay Cutler 3.5 times and Vince Young 2.5 times in one game each. His first sack of 2007 was of Peyton Manning. The Sporting News named him first-team All-Pro, though he was only voted an alternate to the Pro Bowl. In 2008, he amassed 12 sacks and 53 tackles in 16 starts, including three sacks and one forced fumble in the Texans' first ever Monday Night Football game. He was selected for his first Pro Bowl as a starter and was a first-team All-Pro selection by the Sporting News for the second consecutive season. He was again selected to the Pro Bowl after the 2009 season. On December 15, 2010, the Texans placed him on injured reserve with an inflamed hernia; he had 8.5 sacks through 13 games. In 2011, he transitioned to outside linebacker. During Week 5 against the Oakland Raiders, he suffered a torn pectoral muscle while sacking Jason Campbell for his team-leading fifth sack. On October 12, the Texans placed him on injured reserve for the second consecutive year. His contract ended in 2011, and he became a free agent. He left Houston with franchise records of 53 career sacks and 11 forced fumbles, both later surpassed by J. J. Watt.

Buffalo Bills Era and Contract Legacy

On March 15, 2012, Williams signed a six-year contract with the Buffalo Bills worth up to $100 million ($49.5 million guaranteed), the most lucrative contract for a defensive player in NFL history at the time. He wore number 94 with the Bills. He started all 16 games in 2012, making 46 tackles, 10.5 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles, with a season-high 3 sacks against the Colts on November 25. On September 15, 2013, he had 4.5 sacks against the Carolina Panthers, breaking the Bills franchise record for most sacks in a game. He finished 2013 with 38 tackles, a forced fumble, 4 passes defended, and 13 sacks in 16 starts. In 2014, he had 42 total tackles and 14.5 sacks, earning AP All-Pro First-team honors and a Pro Bowl selection. After the Bills hired Rex Ryan as head coach, Williams was outspoken in his disdain for the scheme, complaining about dropping back into coverage. His effort declined, and he registered only 5.0 sacks in 2015. On March 1, 2016, he was released by the Bills.