The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Roy Williams Draft Rewind
04.26.2004 | Football
Tell me about your draft day experience. It was great. I had separate green room from everyone else. All of the other guys' rooms were down on the floor and my room was upstairs. I guess it was the penthouse suite. I hung out there with my family for a while. Then, they called me down when they introduced all the guys to the fans. Eli got booed. I felt bad for him, but those fans at the draft are pretty hardcore. A lot of the guys were nervous, but I was pretty laid back because I knew I wasn't going first and had a pretty good idea I was going to Detroit at number six. I just had a real good feeling about my visit there. I did start getting nervous when Oakland was on clock because I visited there and things went pretty well on that visit too. I gave that until about nine minutes were left on the clock, then I said oh well, if they were going to take me, they would have already called. So, I sat back and said it's the Lions and waited for the sixth pick. When they announced the Lions traded with Cleveland, I said Wow! For a second, I thought maybe I was going to Cleveland. They'd been pretty low-key through the whole pre-draft stuff. Those are the teams that surprise you. But they took Kellen and I knew it was Detroit for me. As soon as the Lions were on the clock the phone rang. I still have it logged on my cell phone. It was 1:22 p.m. Eastern time when they called. I tried to play it cool and let it ring, but I was to excited for that. When I answered, they started passing the phone around and I talked to everyone. They were all really excited and so was I. Then it was time to hug everyone and head to the podium.
You were looking pretty sharp on draft day, who picked the suit? Thanks for the compliment. A lot of people said they liked it. All of the credit goes to my Mom. She picked it and had me looking my best on draft day. I know John Salley is going to make fun of me for telling you that because when I was on the Best Damn Sports Show I told him I was going to look sharp at the draft because my mom does a good job dressing me. He said not to say that because everyone will pick on me, but I have to give here credit because she did a great job.
How was your time in the "Big Apple?" Fun. My family was there and I had a great time. The NFL staff kept us going the whole time but the guys were cool and we got to do a lot of fun stuff. I did "The Early Show" (CBS) on Friday morning and a ton of interviews on Friday and Saturday, but it was real fun. They took us around the city and we saw a lot of stuff. The 9/11 Memorial was the most memorable stop. I would tell anyone that goes to New York to visit that. It's a weekend I'll never forget, especially when I was drafted and holding up that No. 1 Lions jersey. That was a dream come true.
Who went to New York with you? My mom, my brother, aunts, uncles ... about 16 people from my family. That was nice having them all there. I had some time to hang out with them. It was fun for them. I was in a suite and they had it looking pretty nice for me when I got up there. The room was great and they had it stocked full of popcorn, root beer and candy, so you know I was happy.
ESPN did a documentary on Ben Roethlisbergerduring the draft, a lot of the guys made appearances, but we never saw you. What's up? That was his deal, his moment in the sun so to speak. I'm a more laid back kinda guy. I just stayed out of it. Now, you probably heard my voice in there because I was getting the guys going some. I got some things started, but I was runnin' my own camera most of the time. DeAngelo Hall is a funny guy and he was clownin' with Ben so he was all over it, as you saw.
ESPN had a promo with all of the guys working out in the weight room they kept running. You worked hard to sculpt your body, how come no Roy in that spot? That's a whole nother story. I'm disappointed I wasn't in that. It turned out pretty cool. I owe that one to the weather. They taped it a while back in Connecticut and I was trying to get there, but I got stuck in the airport in Chicago because of weather. Thanks for reminding me. That trip stunk.
What are you doing as a millionaire-to-be? The first thing I did when I got some money was bought my Mom a car. She was really excited. She said it was the first time she ever got something new. I was happy I was in a position to do that for her. Now I'm shopping around Odessa with her looking for a house for her. That's the next thing I need to do. I want to make sure it's a nice place because I know I will be spending holidays and weekends there with my family when I can. My Mom and I don't swim, but it needs a pool for my brother's kids, all my nieces and nephews.
Did you have a chance to catch up with the Longhorn Motown trio, Rod (Babers) Cory (Redding), and Shaun (Rogers) during your visit? Everything happened really fast and I didn't get a chanceto spend any time with the guys. When I got in on Saturday night they wanted to take me out, but I was so tired from all of the traveling over the last few weeks that I just went to bed. Sunday was a full day. I got to meet everyone, talked with the media and stayed busy the whole time. Then, Sunday night, I headed back to Odessa.
What did you think of Motown? I hear great things about it and am looking forward to seeing it. Like I said, I got in late and went to sleep on Saturday and spent all of my time at the Lions headquarters on Sunday. That was nice, but I haven't had a chance to see Detroit yet.
What do you think about having your partner Nathan Vasher in the same division with the Bears? I called him Sunday to congratulate him after Chicago picked him. He's up there with Coach Drake. I told him I was looking at the schedule and that we play each other the first game of the season. He jokingly said he was going lock me down. I just laughed. There probably will be some trash talkin' between us before that game, but it will all be in fun. We have too much respect for each other to let it get serious. Plus, if it all works out, we will be seeing a lot of each other over the next few years.
Any last words? I just want to tell all of the fans and everyone back in Texas to know that I appreciate all of the support they gave me for the last four years and that I'll work hard to make them proud up here in Detroit. I know it's a long way away, the farthest I've ever been from Texas for any period of time, but it's Longhorn country with four of us up here so come watch us. Or at least get your DIRECTV package and tune in. I notice we play in Dallas too, so that's another chance to see the Lions Longhorns.
