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University of Minnesota Athletics
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Under the Helmet: Chris Williamson
8/27/2019 10:56:00 AM | Football
By Emily Polglaze, Athletic Communications Student Assistant
Chris Williamson had just finished his first high school football season when he met an unlikely mentor who would shape not only his football career, but his life, forever.
Ray Buchanan, a former Atlanta Falcons star and Pro Bowler, was on hand for a summer training of Williamson, and he liked what he saw.
"He saw my mom and said, 'Oh, he looks fast,'" Williamson said. "And little did I know, that little conversation started off probably a lifelong relationship."
Ever since that day, "Big Play Ray" has been a constant – on and off the football field – in Williamson's life. An Atlanta native, Williamson trains with Buchanan every time he visits home, and he's looked to him for personal growth as well.
"As a mentor, I send him practice clips and he'll let me know if I'm doing something wrong," Williamson said. "But he's also been a father figure. He's taken me out before. I'm really close with his family and I know all his kids. So having him in my life has made a huge impact on me."
Mentorship has been somewhat of a theme for Williamson throughout his football career. When he arrived at Minnesota in 2017 as a transfer from Florida, he quickly invested in the culture and values that head coach P.J. Fleck instilled in the program.
"This is the first place I've been to where they actually focus on more than just football," Williamson said. "Everybody tells you when they're recruiting you that they want to make you a better man and all of that stuff, but when you come here, you really see it."
Last season was Williamson's first action in the Maroon and Gold after sitting out for a transfer year, and he recorded 34 tackles and one interception. With one season left, he hopes to make an impact on his teammates that will last well beyond his playing years. With Buchanan and Fleck as his guides, Williamson is becoming a mentor in his own right.
"I want to take the young guys under my wing and show them how to do things the right way," Williamson said. "I want them to grow and be great players, but I don't want them to stop there. Football is a game, and it doesn't last for everybody. Even though this is my last year, I'm only a phone call away if they ever need anything, I'll be there for them."
Chris Williamson had just finished his first high school football season when he met an unlikely mentor who would shape not only his football career, but his life, forever.
Ray Buchanan, a former Atlanta Falcons star and Pro Bowler, was on hand for a summer training of Williamson, and he liked what he saw.
"He saw my mom and said, 'Oh, he looks fast,'" Williamson said. "And little did I know, that little conversation started off probably a lifelong relationship."
Ever since that day, "Big Play Ray" has been a constant – on and off the football field – in Williamson's life. An Atlanta native, Williamson trains with Buchanan every time he visits home, and he's looked to him for personal growth as well.
"As a mentor, I send him practice clips and he'll let me know if I'm doing something wrong," Williamson said. "But he's also been a father figure. He's taken me out before. I'm really close with his family and I know all his kids. So having him in my life has made a huge impact on me."
Mentorship has been somewhat of a theme for Williamson throughout his football career. When he arrived at Minnesota in 2017 as a transfer from Florida, he quickly invested in the culture and values that head coach P.J. Fleck instilled in the program.
"This is the first place I've been to where they actually focus on more than just football," Williamson said. "Everybody tells you when they're recruiting you that they want to make you a better man and all of that stuff, but when you come here, you really see it."
Last season was Williamson's first action in the Maroon and Gold after sitting out for a transfer year, and he recorded 34 tackles and one interception. With one season left, he hopes to make an impact on his teammates that will last well beyond his playing years. With Buchanan and Fleck as his guides, Williamson is becoming a mentor in his own right.
"I want to take the young guys under my wing and show them how to do things the right way," Williamson said. "I want them to grow and be great players, but I don't want them to stop there. Football is a game, and it doesn't last for everybody. Even though this is my last year, I'm only a phone call away if they ever need anything, I'll be there for them."
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