Kansas City Chiefs running back Damien Williams explained the reason for opting-out of the 2020 season. The Super Bowl star’s mother has been diagnosed with Stage 4 Cancer.
“For me, it was kind of cut straight and simple, right to it,” Williams said. “I’m dealing with a family matter — my mom was diagnosed with cancer and it’s stage four. There was no other — that was my decision dog. With everything that was going on, she was the only one there for me. I never had the opportunity to have my dad there. My mom is my everything, my rock. During a hard time like this, I think I should be next to her.”
Chiefs RB Damien Williams explains his reasoning for opting out of the 2020 NFL season, that hits close to home.
"It was hard.. football is my life, especially coming off a championship"
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— SiriusXM NFL Radio (@SiriusXMNFL) July 30, 2020
Williams, who scored two touchdowns and rushed for 104 yards in the Super Bowl victory over the San Francisco 49ers, added the decision was difficult despite the overwhelming circumstances.
“It was hard,” Williams said of his decision to opt-out. “I sat down and talked to everybody in my circle, family and everybody closest to me. My mom was like, ‘Whatever decision I’m behind you.’ At the end of the day, it’s hard. Football is my life, especially coming off a championship and wanting to do a repeat. I know they’re going to handle that. At the end of the day, it’s something personal I had to handle.”