By: Saenea Williams
Growing up under the guidance of an 8-time pro-bowler, one of the best corner backs in football history has not always been easy, but worth it. My dad, Aeneas Williams, has taught me a lot growing up including: learning from my mistakes, mental toughness, and strong work ethic. Sometimes being his daughter, the eldest child, for that matter, comes with a lot of expectations. Some of which include being exceptional at your sport, humbling yourself, and fulfilling your potential.
Due to the fact that my dad was and is such a great man on and off the field, in my head I was expected to mirror those actions. However, my father laid that to rest when he told me that he just wanted me to be the best me and that his biggest wish was that I fulfill every bit of my potential. I remember watching football as a kid and thinking how epic it must be to play on that field and feel almost unstoppable. As I have gotten older, I now understand what my dad had to sacrifice to become one of the best defensive backs ever to play the game of football. This is what inspires me to give my best in anything that I want to accomplish.
I can remember riding in the car with my dad one day as he was listening to Jim Rohn, a motivational speaker, when I heard him say a quote that really changed my life. Jim Rohn said: “Don’t wish it was easier, wish you were better.” This quote has really impacted my life in the way I approach adversity with a positive attitude. This was something my dad had mastered. My dad has never accepted excuses. It was just something he never believed in. I’ll never forget his favorite quote to spit back at me, when I would complain. He would say in his New Orleans accent, “Don’t tell me about the pain, just deliver the baby!” smiling wide. I laughed at it then because the way my dad pushed me made me a better person. Then later I realized that no one was there to push my dad to the level that he had to motivate himself to get to. This is where the self-drive that the world speaks of as a mere cliché has helped my dad achieve what he has accomplished.
The self-drive has to be that you, yourself, have a yearning to get better and fulfill your potential. This is in no way an easy lesson to learn, especially considering that the world we live in tells us to just be good enough. Because my dad believed that he had a higher purpose so to speak, he knew average was not going to cut it. Through all the sacrifices, the years of hard work, and perseverance I know that this honor of being inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame means the world to him! Between you and me, the 46-year-old buff man on the stage Saturday night will be shedding some tears. If anyone deserves this award it's him. My dad has done so much to make sure that he can say that he gave it his absolute all and I know for a fact that he has not only honored his family, but also made God up in heaven very happy. During his years of playing in the NFL, not only was he representing his family on the field, but he was ultimately representing The Lord Jesus Christ!