Paul Williams

Paul Williams was a speedster who could contribute on offense, defense or running back kicks.  Williams played 8 years in the CFL, five with Winnipeg (1971-75), and three with Saskatchewan (1976-78).  In his rookie season in 1971, Williams tied for the Est lead with 6 interceptions   On offense, Williams caught 13 passes, taking 4 of them for touchdowns.  That ability to make big pays and score touchdowns would be a characteristic of Williams's entire career.  In 1972, the Bombers moved Williams to offense almost exclusively and he caught 60 passes for 817 yards and 8 touchdowns.  Back on defense in 1973 and 1974, Williams had 7 interceptons over those two years.  In 1975, injuries limited Williams to just 8 games.  Williams was traded to Saskatchewan for the 1976 season where he played mainly defense for his three seasons with the Riders.  In 1976, Williams matched his career high with 6 interceptions, and added 3 more in both 1977 and 1978 to finish with a career total of 25 interceptions.  As mentioned above, Williams also contributed on kick returns. Williams finished second in the west in kickoff return yards in 1974 with 648 and an excellent 32.4 yard average.  Those totals include a 109 yard return for a touchdown.  With the Riders in 1976 there was a 108 yard punt return for a TD, and in 1977 Williams led the West in kickoff return yards (812) and was second in punt return yards (697) with a 99 yard punt return fora TD.  Willaims won three West All-Stars at defensive back (1974, 1976 and 1977) and two CFL All-Stars (1974 and 1976).

 

GP, Rushing and Receiving
Year Team GP TC Yds Avg TD Long Rec Yds Avg TD Long
1971 WPG 10 1 5 5 0 5 13 183 14.1 4 45
1972 WPG 16 8 72 9 1 68 60 817 13.6 8 69
1973 WPG 16 0 0 0 0 0 17 298 17.5 2 63
1974 WPG 16 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1975 WPG 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1976 SASK 16 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1977 SASK 16 0 0 0 0 0 1 50 50 0 50
1978 SASK 13 0 0 0 0 0 4 139 34.8 1 57

 

Kickoff and Punt Returns
Year Team KO Yds Avg Long S P Yds Avg Long S
1971 WPG 4 130 35 63 0 0 0 0 0 0
1972 WPG 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1973 WPG 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1974 WPG 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1975 WPG 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1976 SASK 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1977 SASK 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1978 SASK 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Int+FumReturns

Interceptions and Fumble Returns
Year Team Int Yds Avg TDInt Long FR Yds Avg TD Long FF
1971 WPG 6 68 11.3 0 22 0 0 0 0 0
1972 WPG 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1973 WPG 4 19 4.8 0 19 2 25 12.5 1 24
1974 WPG 3 36 12 0 30 1 22 22 0 22
1975 WPG 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1976 SASK 6 92 15.3 1 34 0 0 0 0 0
1977 SASK 3 62 20.7 1 51 0 0 0 0 0
1978 SASK 3 98 32.7 1 56 0 0 0 0 0

 

Fumbles
Year Team F FL OFR
1971 WPG 0 0 0
1972 WPG 1 0 0
1973 WPG 1 0 1
1974 WPG 2 1 1
1975 WPG 0 0 0
1976 SASK 3 2 0
1977 SASK 5 5 0
1978 SASK 2 1 0

Kickoffs

Kickoffs
Year Team KO Yds Avg Long S
1971 WPG 4 130 35 63 0
1972 WPG 0 0 0 0 0
1973 WPG 0 0 0 0 0
1974 WPG 0 0 0 0 0
1975 WPG 0 0 0 0 0
1976 SASK 0 0 0 0 0
1977 SASK 0 0 0 0 0
1978 SASK 0 0 0 0 0
1972 OPC Paul Williams