By Ryan Storz
For 14 seasons, former Arizona Cardinal and St. Louis Ram Aeneas Williams was one of the most feared defensive backs in the NFL. He was the rare cornerback that could tackle just as well as he could cover a team’s best receiver.
While his then NFC East and sometimes NFC West counterpart, Deion Sanders, was the flashier cornerback who high-stepped his way into the end zone, wore gaudy jewelry and gave himself a “Prime Time” persona, Williams was the gritty, spiritual leader that went about his business and did not create alter egos.
These days he no longer ruins Sundays for quarterbacks. Williams leads an upstart ministry called Spirit of the Lord Family Church that is based in Clayton. On Wednesday night, he delivered a guest sermon at Change of Heart. Williams, who was always regarded as a quiet leader, now seeks to inspire, motivate and convert. He is a motivational speaker and an ordained minister, though he is not titled “Reverend.”
He is an imposing figure even at 41 and five years removed from the gridiron. He wears a button-down shirt instead of shoulder pads. He still has the same buzz cut and muscular features, making it appear that you’re getting preached to by a Marine with a very pronounced southern drawl and a knack for helping save souls.
But Williams’ approach is downright tame. Enthusiastic, but tame. There’s no fire-and-brimstone with him. He keeps it light-hearted and encourages the audience to participate, throwing in “yuk yuk” as a substitution for “amen.” He may also be the only preacher in the Midwest that name drops rapper Lil Wayne.
Williams, who was always overt when it came to his faith in God, surprised no one when he turned to preaching after his football career. His head coach of four seasons, Mike Martz, told the Associated Press in January that, “I can’t imagine him doing anything else.” Martz said players were drawn to Williams because of his confidence and resolve.
He is a preacher in the walk-and-talk mold. He moves around with the Bible clutched in one hand and the microphone in the other. Williams is a very skilled public speaker that knows how to keep the audience’s attention.
He doesn’t rely heavily on anecdotes about his playing days because Williams is not there to impress you; he just wants to light a fire in your gut about Jesus. When you watch and listen to Williams, you get the urge to strap on a helmet and chest bump the person standing next to you.
He quickly became the heart of the St. Louis Rams defense after being acquired by the team from Arizona in a draft day exchange in 2001. Williams and several new additions provided a surge for a Rams defense that went from being one of the best in 1999 to one of the worst in 2000. Williams converted to free safety upon his arrival in St. Louis and totaled four interceptions with two touchdowns.
The Rams went 14-2 that season and reached their second Super Bowl in three seasons.
He played only six games in 2002 after suffering a season-ending injury in what turned out to be a lost year for the franchise. Williams returned to the Rams in 2003 and played all 16 games. He picked off four passes and helped guide the Rams to a 12-4 record.
After a quiet 2004 where he started only 10 games and had 38 tackles, Williams decided to quietly walk away from football.
Williams ended his career with 55 interceptions, nine touchdowns and a spot on the NFL 1990’s All-Decade Team.
While he is best remembered in St. Louis for being part of a revamped defense that led to some of the franchise’s greatest success, fans in Arizona will remember him for being one of the few attractions during the darkest days. Despite playing on some mediocre teams, Williams never whined his way out of the desert.
He was the face of the defense when they scored a monumental upset against the Dallas Cowboys in the wild card round of the 1998 playoffs. He intercepted Cowboys quarterback, Troy Aikman, twice in a 20-7 victory.
It was the first playoff win for the franchise since 1947 and would be the only one until the Cardinals defeated the Atlanta Falcons on Jan. 3, 2009.
When Arizona stunned the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship game on Jan. 18, Williams presented the George Halas Trophy to the Cardinals after the victory.
He is also displayed on the Cardinals Ring of Honor at University of Phoenix Stadium.
All of that pales in comparison to the work he does now. He has, undoubtedly, reached more people in his post-NFL life than he did when wrestling receivers to the ground. When he talks about the number of people he has seen become born-again, Williams lights up.
Like any preacher worthy of standing in the pulpit, he doesn’t boast about his role in bringing people to God. What makes him so effective is his authenticity. When he stands before the congregation, you do not see a millionaire ex-football player that won so many awards and accolades he needs an entire room to display them. You see a man that works for God, and football is just something he used to do.
Williams transcends what most people see as a glamorous career, and that can only be accomplished when you have passion that is unparalleled and genuine. After five minutes, you stop being star-struck. You forget that this is someone you lived and died with for 16 weeks every year, because his message and his emotions are more powerful than any open field tackle or game-saving interception.
Williams is a treasure to the St. Louis community and anybody who happens to hear him speak. Pro football players have become even more villainous as time goes on. Their bodies have morphed into something only cocktails of illegal drugs could produce.
Even though he’s now an ex-athlete, Williams is someone to believe in. He exudes modesty and righteous living. He is not the first athlete that has dedicated his life to a larger purpose and he will not be the last; but with all of his talent, Williams will continue inspiring and motivating large amounts of peo