Former Serra Gridder Williams Wins Honors in Canada

David Williams, who didn’t go out for football at Serra High until his older brother Oliver practically forced him into it, continued his domination over the Canadian Football League’s postseason honors by receiving the Schenley Award as the league’s Most Outstanding Player.

Williams, a wide receiver with the British Columbia Lions, led the CFL in receiving with 83 catches, receiving yards (1,468) and touchdowns (18). Williams’ 18 touchdown receptions tied the CFL record set by Edmonton’s Brian Kelly in 1984.

Williams previously had won the Jess Nicklin Memorial Trophy as the Most Outstanding Player in the CFL’s Western Division and was a unanimous choice for the Western Division All-Star Team.

After catching 34 passes for 9 touchdowns in his 1981 senior season at Serra, Williams played one season with Harbor College before transferring to Illinois and was a consensus All-American in 1984 after leading the nation with 101 catches.

A third-round draft choice of the Chicago Bears in 1986, Williams played 15 games with Tampa Bay Buccaneers that season and was a replacement player for the Raiders during last year’s National Football League Players Assn. strike.