Bills CB Aaron Williams Shows Respect To Andre Reed

by MattRichWarren on May 3, 2011 8:00 PM EDT in Buffalo Bills News

Sometimes we sensationalize the bad things that happen with our professional athletes. That's why today, I'm highlighting something good.

Aaron Williams and the rest of the Buffalo Bills draft class have been very active on Twitter since learning they'd be teammates over the weekend. They've been swapping phone numbers and contact info, as well as talking about how they are going to turn this franchise around.

That's great and all, but it's a tweet from Williams to another Bills great that really made me smile.

"I'm very honored you announced my name at the draft," Williams tweeted to Andre Reed. Reed, if you recall, announced the Bills' second-round pick, which they used to select Williams. "I looked up to you when you played." Williams then added the hash tags "#greatperson #greatplayer."

Knowing the history of the team you play for is one thing, but showing respect to a guy that wore the uniform before you will endear him not only to the current roster, but to the alumni and the fans. Well done, Aaron.

Tweet Comment 41 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

I said it before

I think this is a different group of guys we have this year. They’re going to impress.

by telka on May 3, 2011 8:06 PM EDT reply actions

#LoveThisDraftClass

Lets Go Buff a lo!!!

by bflo on May 3, 2011 8:08 PM EDT reply actions 5 recs

this

"The Buffalo Bills have just exploded all over the Cincinnati Bangles"
-Steve Tasker-

by billsoferie on May 3, 2011 9:37 PM EDT up reply actions

Love aaron Williams as a longhorn, love him even more now. Hook Em Bills!

by Wien on May 3, 2011 8:23 PM EDT reply actions

Was just going to write the same thing

There’s something different about this group. They seem mature, bright, grounded, and focused. It’s going to be a lot of fun to watch this group.

Welcome to Buffalo, Aaron!

by Luther6 on May 3, 2011 8:25 PM EDT reply actions

Nix and Gailey put a premium on character. They always have, our draft class from last year is the same way. Look at Troup’s offseason work ethic. Look at the 2nd year guys at “Camp Fitz”. We finally have a REAL front office and they are drafting REAL football players that are hungry.

by Wien on May 3, 2011 8:28 PM EDT up reply actions

Yah you got to get a certain character of guy you like and get that in all your players. That seems to be what nix is doing. All these guys seem to be very high character and very high work ethic.

"This is a chance to shine some light on the city, They say it’s too cold. I’m going to bring some warmth to it." Marcell Dareus

by matthew62 on May 3, 2011 9:25 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

work ethic

That work ethic keep us in a lot of games last year and made some games really close that we were not expected to compete in at all.

by Bill Frank on May 4, 2011 9:27 AM EDT up reply actions

Yup that work ethic is also what is having them excanche contact info so they can get togethor and such maybe our rookies will be slightly more prepared come lock out ending.

"This is a chance to shine some light on the city, They say it’s too cold. I’m going to bring some warmth to it." Marcell Dareus

by matthew62 on May 4, 2011 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Things like this warm the cold cockles of my heart. Love this team. Always have, and always will.

by maestro110584 on May 3, 2011 8:31 PM EDT via mobile reply actions 1 recs

rec'd for this

cold cockles of my heart

don’t ya hate it when cockles are cold????

Went to my first "BB" meeting today... When I stood, introduced myself, and admitted I was a Billsaholic, the other members threw beer cans at me!!

by Cinga on May 3, 2011 8:59 PM EDT up reply actions

I do. Tragically it takes a lot to warm them these days.

by maestro110584 on May 3, 2011 9:48 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Now I really know I'm old..........

…because Williams had to “look up” Andre’s career.
:-(

I think all of our young players are pretty good dudes.

"There is not a loser in this room." Marv Levy.

by SERGEANT MAJOR THOR on May 3, 2011 8:58 PM EDT reply actions

I read it as “looked up to” Reed when he played…

by maestro110584 on May 3, 2011 9:47 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

No no, Williams “looked up” to Reed like a role model.

"What we've got here is failure to communicate. Some men you just can't reach, so you get what we had here last week which is the way he wants it. Well, he gets it. And I don't like it any more than you men." -Unnamed NFL CBA negotiator

by BuffaloBlueBlood on May 3, 2011 10:06 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

I thought that when I first read it too, sarge.....

….but I think he said “look up TO you”. Easy mistake though.

And I like all of these kids as well. Hope they do the team proud.

This is year 11 of no playoffs. Year 8 of getting swept by the pats. We’re coming off of McKelvin- Maybin- Spiller in the first round of the last three drafts. There are loyal, objective fans of the worst franchise in the league and there are juvenile, Santa Clause-believing, Bills footy pajama wearing cults. - Port Royal

by Home Run Throw-up on May 3, 2011 9:02 PM EDT reply actions

Networking

This is one of the best things that the advent of social networking. These guys can get together and get to know each other and develop chemistry in advance. It also helps the fans get to know the players that much more.

by Western New Yorker on May 3, 2011 9:25 PM EDT reply actions

I text this very same thing to wgr when Joe was on and they read the textand talked about it for a few miniutes and all agreed. Love to listen to nothig but bills and sabres online while living in SO CAL

Thurman Thomas literally deleted me on twitter..... i laughed then cried.... @rcallahan57

by OC-BILLS-FAN on May 4, 2011 1:46 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Love the look on that receivers face. He is just like holy crap he did not just catch that with 2 fingersm.

"This is a chance to shine some light on the city, They say it’s too cold. I’m going to bring some warmth to it." Marcell Dareus

by matthew62 on May 3, 2011 9:27 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Stevie will be a good leader for all of these guys,

he was a very positive young Bill and i think it will catch with this crew. This team is becomeing very young, positive and talented. It is still very early to become too excited, but there are a lot of fresh and positive ora around this team.

Go Bills!

"The Buffalo Bills have just exploded all over the Cincinnati Bangles"
-Steve Tasker-

by billsoferie on May 3, 2011 9:42 PM EDT reply actions

Two ways

Maybe Stevie could use some positive influences, too. He seemed to get sort of caught up in the media blitz around his emergence last year? Maybe that’s just me… anyway, I’d rather have him reading Aaron Williams’ twitter than Donte Whitner’s.

by lord gloom on May 4, 2011 6:38 AM EDT up reply actions

Character

at least we know he’s got some class. Good to hear stuff like this…almost gives me the warm ’n fuzzies…

by Oxyman on May 3, 2011 9:51 PM EDT reply actions

all this just seems like agent talk

everyone in the world know fans monitor athlete’s twitter accounts…. its very easy for agents to ask players to suck up to old players…. and fans lap it up…

it might be just me but i prefer these rookies and non-achievers to just SHUT UP…. show something, then talk…. i dont have any problems if moats talks… damn these rookies, and that includes dareus….

for what its worth, maybin talked just like this, and fans were excited by that… he said he wants to be awesome and train with lewis, he still sucks…

this only makes me suspect aaron williams… he might be another donte whitner in 4 years

by statcruncher on May 3, 2011 11:45 PM EDT reply actions

This makes you question his integrity? Wow. #cynical

You can't have CHANGE without CHAN.
Tweet
Buffalo Rumblings

by MattRichWarren on May 4, 2011 6:39 AM EDT up reply actions

By showing respect to Andre Reed for calling his name? He should shut up? Say what…?

I dislike a great deal of the social media and that so many athletes use it as their podium, this seems to be one player thanking another and paying his respects… why should he shut up?!

by aquias on May 4, 2011 7:39 AM EDT up reply actions

Wow, Brian….really? All those comments gone?

by trademark on May 4, 2011 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Im usually an optimist.

But at this point, a barely average player saying he respects a hall of fame player does not get me nearly as excited as it does the rest of Bills nation. I don’t get the excitement here. Wonderful, we get to root for a classy bunch of rookies. Woohoo, we’re 1-15, but hey, they’re good guys off the field!!!

by BFFL on May 3, 2011 11:55 PM EDT reply actions

Woohoo, we’re 1-15, but hey, they’re good guys off the field!!!

trick to building a good team is to get guys who are both level headed AND good football players. i dont know what makes u assume these high character guys weve been drafting cant play, but i bet u were a better football team in 2011 and we were in 2010

by boomsauce on May 4, 2011 12:00 AM EDT up reply actions

I would be willing to bet

we are drafting inside the top 5 again next year.

by BFFL on May 4, 2011 12:11 AM EDT up reply actions

#downer

"It’s like I’ve always said, don’t tell me about the labor pains, just show me the baby."
- Buddy Nix

"How can a guy with a name like Melo be such a pain in the ass?"
- George Lopez

by dnvrBillsfan on May 4, 2011 12:17 AM EDT up reply actions

I'll take that bet.

by BuffaloBlueBlood on May 4, 2011 12:33 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

I think that might be true. I also think that just because we don’t improve drastically in W-L total doesn’t mean we don’t improve. It always depends on the circumstances, especially injuries and your opponents. We have some TOUGH opponents next year.

Official ledge-talker-offer of the Buffalo Bills.
Citi Field loves the mets so much it smothers them. -the caveman

by WhyBillsWhy on May 4, 2011 10:01 AM EDT up reply actions

A 1st/2nd round prospect is barely average?

Man, lots of negativity about a young man showing some respect to a former Bill great. I fail to see how he’s barely average…let him play a game in the NFL before you doom Aaron Williams to being barely average. He obviously has enough talent to be considered and early draft pick by most. Good on you Aaron, I’m glad you know some Bills history and glad you’re nice enough to show a little gratitude and respect to someone you admire who is part of that history.

by buffaloparks on May 4, 2011 12:29 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

No ball skills,

lacks speed, agility, agressiveness, instincts. I have yet to hear a positive thing said about the guy other than its nice to see him show a little respect towards bills history. This is Donte Whitner all over again.

He obviously has enough talent to be considered and early draft pick by most.

Whitner, McKelvin, Maybin all considered by most as first round picks. Doesn’t mean jack.

by BFFL on May 4, 2011 11:00 AM EDT up reply actions

Guess you're a "glass half empty" guy then

You need only look as far as http://www.buffalorumblings.com/2011/5/3/2150963/aaron-williams-kelvin-sheppard-scouting-report to see some very positive remarks about Aaron Williams the Longhorn and potential Pro. I honestly understand if you’re still in Jauron shell shock, but give the kid a chance to play a down before you declare him the next Whitner or even mention him in the same breath as Aaron Maybin.

by buffaloparks on May 4, 2011 11:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Cool story, props to him for showing respect to one of the greats.

"It’s like I’ve always said, don’t tell me about the labor pains, just show me the baby."
- Buddy Nix

"How can a guy with a name like Melo be such a pain in the ass?"
- George Lopez

by dnvrBillsfan on May 4, 2011 12:18 AM EDT reply actions

Kudos, Brian, for the spirit of the post. I'm with ya.

Go Buffalo Bills, Utah Jazz, and Arkansas Razorbacks

by Dyl on May 4, 2011 2:27 AM EDT reply actions

For once can't we be happy!

It really confuses me why we can’t just be happy for once as Bills fans. I think we had a great draft and to hear a kid respects someone who called his name on draft day is so much better than hearing he got pulled over after the draft for a DUI. I know we have lost a lot over the last decade or more but I get the idea that some of us on this website would find something to complain about even if we win the Super Bowl.
Great draft Buddy and keep up the good work of bringing in classy guys who want to play football!

by LasVegasBillsFan on May 4, 2011 3:31 AM EDT reply actions

Respect to Aaron Williams.

For me, the guy has shown himself to have a lot of class with his actions.
I can’t for the life of me see how anyone would want to say anything negative about it.

"I spent my money on women, booze and flash cars.... the rest I squandered"- George Best

by Union Jack on May 4, 2011 7:51 AM EDT via mobile reply actions