Fort Campbell lineman Tim Williams died before the 2009 football season began. He collapsed following a routine practice and died July 29 from hyperthermia.
But his Falcon teammates never forgot, dedicating the season to their fallen friend and teammate. On Friday, the season was capped off with a 29-9 win over DeSales in the Class 2A state championship game at Bowling Green.
People who weren't from Fort Campbell looked around and didn't see Tim. But everyone from Fort Campbell did.
Falcon coach Shawn Berner carried a framed picture of Tim to midfield for the pregame coin toss. The picture stayed on the bench during the game, just a few feet from the 12th Man flag in Tim's honor. The Falcons also wore special symbols on their helmets, as they have all season.
And Tim's parents, Bill and Kim Williams, were there on the sidelines, just as if Tim were out on the field taking part in Fort Campbell's third straight state title. Bill congratulates players for good plays. He talks to the coaches during dead ball situations. And Kim takes pictures. Hundreds of them to share with other families. And if the day was bittersweet for them, you would never know it by talking to them.
Late in the game, the Falcon fans began chants of "T-Dub" and "7-3" in honor of Tim, as if he had just made the key block that sprung Troy Turner for the game's final touchdown run.
When the final horn sounded, there were tears of joy. And there were tears of rememberence. Players realized that their season of dedication had reached its apex. Everything they had done for Tim was now rewarded with a state championship. A championship for Tim.
Tim was named the WHVO Player of the Game, a fitting honor and tribute for the senior-to-be and a nice touch by the radio crew that broadcast the games that Bill listened to on an internet stream in the Middle East last year.
Because I don't cover Fort Campbell football on a regular basis, I never got the opportunity to meet Tim before his death. But you could feel his presence at L.T. Smith Stadium Friday. And there is no doubt he was holding three fingers in the air when his friends and teammates gathered at midfield to accept the championship trophy.
Kyle Allen's interview with Bill Williams on the WHVO Postgame Show
Kyle Allen talks with Bill Williams following Fort Campbell's win
Bill and Kim Williams never missed a football during the 2009 season
Fort Campbell players wore a special helmet logo for their fallen friend and teammate
Falcon head coach Shawn Berner had a framed picture of Tim at midfield for the coin toss
The 12th Man flag in Tim's honor
Tim's teammates made sure he was a part of the postgame celebration, marking Fort Campbell's third straight state football title.
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