After dismissing Bernard Williams, a 51-year-old former player who last played 29 years ago, the Philadelphia Eagles made an unusual move.
tly perplexed NFL fans with their transaction report, as the team elected to release offensive tackle Bernard Williams. The only issue is that he is 51 years old and has not played in the league in 29 years.
Yes, you read that correctly. Williams was allegedly enjoying his life minding his own business when the Eagles reportedly dismissed him from the roster, according to Andrew DiCecco of Inside the Birds. Williams alleges he learned of his dismissal while at work.
“‘I was actually at work when a kid I coached in high school, Ventell Boulware — a scout for the Packers — called [and] asked when the last time I did anything with the NFL,” Williams told InsideTheBirds.com’s Andrew DiCecco. ‘I informed him I had recently claimed for benefits, and he said, ‘Well, your name just came across the [transaction] wire.’ ‘For what?’ I ask. And he said, ‘The Eagles have released you.’ I had a thought, but they never let me go. And I’ve always wondered what became of it. When I moved to Canada, the Eagles retained my rights throughout. They never gave up my rights. But I had no notion I was still on the team.
Bernard Williams was a former first-round choice of the Philadelphia Eagles, where he played his rookie year in 1994. However, Williams was suspended during the 1995 offseason after testing positive for marijuana. He reportedly tested positive while serving his ban, prompting his permanent departure from the NFL. He played football in the XFL, the Canadian Football League, and Arena Football.
It’s amusing that the Eagles finally released Bernard Williams after 29 years. But, hey, they can’t keep him on the squad indefinitely, can they?
