He played college football for the North Carolina Tar Heels, and was chosen by the Packers in the third round of the 1995 NFL draft.

He played varsity football as a freshman, sophomore, and junior, but sat out his senior year due to a knee injury.

Only Brett Favre (255) Donald Driver (205), Bart Starr (196) and Ray Nitschke (190) played in more games for the Packers.

He also blocked for six of the top nine individual rushing efforts in team annals — Dorsey Levens' 1,435 yards in 1997 (third), Ahman Green's 1,883 in 2003 (first), 1,387 in 2001 (fourth), 1,240 in 2002 (sixth), 1,175 in 2000 (seventh) and 1,163 in 2004 (ninth).

As of 2008, he stands tenth all-time on the Packers' career receptions list with 320 (for 2,409 yards), and first among running backs.

"We are releasing William at this point so he can pursue other opportunities within the National Football League," GM Ted Thompson said.