Last week, one of the all-time great retired from the game. Shawn Williams (Willy), announced his retirement from the National Lacrosse League, and Major Series Lacrosse.
Williams leaves the game ranked in the top ten in four offensive categories. 257 games played is 7th all time, 444 goals places him 7th, 708 assists 6th all time and 1,152 total points is good for the 7th slot all-time.
Williams’ career in the National Lacrosse League would start in 1998 when he was drafted by the Ontario Raiders scoring fifteen goals in his rookie season. In 1999 the Raiders would move to Toronto, and Williams would win his first National Lacrosse League Championship.
In 2000 and 2001 Williams would find himself in Buffalo and in his fourth year in the league; he would register 46 goals and 31 assists.
After the 2001 season, Williams would be traded in a blockbuster deal that would send him to Rochester. While in Rochester Williams would score 309 goals in ten seasons. With John Grant Jr. out with a season ending knee injury after five games, Williams erupted for his best overall season ever. He would finish the season with 45 goals and 36 assists, was named first All-Pro team. Williams was named Offensive Player of the Week five times and Overall Player of the week three times in the last four weeks of the season.
In 2007 Williams would get his second National Lacrosse League Championship, registering 36 goals and 55 assists in the regular season and 6 goals 13 assists in the playoffs.
In Major Series Lacrosse, Williams would even be hotter then a summer day. In 339 games, a majority with the Brooklin Redmen, Williams would accumulate 639 goals and 972 assists for 1,611 pts. He would add another 510 points in 135 playoff games in the Major Series Lacrosse.
Among his many awards, Williams is a six time All-Star, and the recipient of the 2010 NLL Sportsmanship Award winner.
Upon the announcement of Williams retiring, the lacrosse social media exploded with thanks from fans, friends, teammates.
Kevin Ross-Rochester- “Congrats on an amazing career @51_Willy. It was an honor to play with you and I was lucky to look up to you #manncup09”
Nick Rose-Toronto- Congrats “@51_Willy on an incredible @NLL career. One of toughest competitors I’ve faced & an all-time “good guy”of lacrosse #BraverThanBrave”
Teddy Jenner-Radio Host, Off The Crossbar. “@51_Willy was one of the guys I looked up to my first year in Roch- one of the best leaders and lefties the game has ever seen”.
After spending 10 years in Rochester, Williams would spend 2012 in Edmonton before finishing his career with Buffalo for the 2013 and 2014 seasons.
Next stop for Shawn Williams, 2017 National Lacrosse League Hall of Fame.
