He played college football at Texas A&M–Kingsville and was signed by the Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent after the 1996 NFL draft.
Despite Williams' success in the NFL, he said, "From the first time I stepped on a football field, everybody told me I couldn't do it.
Williams also continued to be a successful punt returner, and was picked as a candidate to end the Bucs' kickoff-return drought.
Although he was not successful at kickoffs, Williams scored with some regularity as a punt returner, recording one touchdown each in the 1996 and 1997 seasons as well as one each year from 2000 to 2002.
A member of the first championship Tampa Bay squad; Williams' Bucs were led by Hall of Famers linebacker Derrick Brooks and defensive tackle Warren Sapp on defense, and game-manager quarterback Brad Johnson on offense.
Behind head coach Jon Gruden, the Buccaneers went 12–4 during the regular season, defeated their chief rivals the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship game, and dominated the Super Bowl against the Oakland Raiders, winning 48–21 to bring the Lombardi Trophy to the Tampa Bay area.
He was most famous for going toe-to-toe with some of boxing's best, including Larry Holmes (who Williams lost a controversial decision to) and to Mike Tyson.
"[4] His rags to riches story has led to Williams' ownership of a small gym in Texas, where he encourages the youth of his alma mater that everyone can be successful.