Bernard Williams, a former Toronto Argonauts offensive tackle, was released by the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday, 29 years after his last NFL action.
Williams was chosen 14th overall in the first round of the 1994 NFL Draft. He started 16 games with the Eagles and was named to the league’s all-rookie team. It would be his final season in the NFL after being suspended twice for marijuana use in 1995 and being banished from the league indefinitely after being discouraged from applying for reinstatement.
The NFL was apparently clearing out players from old reserve lists this week when they realized Williams had never actually been dismissed by the Eagles, thereby keeping him on the team. The organization swiftly placed the 51-year-old on waivers, allowing any of the other 31 teams to take him.
Williams resurrected his career with the BC Lions in 2000, appearing in five games. After playing in the XFL and the Arena Football League, he signed with the Toronto Argonauts in 2003 and stayed for four seasons, winning the Grey Cup in 2004. In 2005 and 2006, he was selected a CFL East Division all-star.
After being charged with sexual assault in August, the Memphis, Tennessee native ended his career in 2006. In February 2009, he was acquitted of the accusation.
