Queensland Government
Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services

Pictured: Jesse Williams

Jesse Williams, 19, is ‘hot’ in the United States where American colleges are fighting for him to come play with them.

Q. American football — gridiron — isn’t usually a ‘top of mind’ sporting choice in Australia. How did you come to play it?

I played Rugby and basketball at school. The older brother of a mate I’d played basketball with was a quarterback with Bayside Ravens. He thought I’d be good at protecting him. I went along to have a look — and never looked back.

Q. You look set to become the first Indigenous Australian drafted in the National Football League. What does that mean to you?

I hope it inspires others to follow their dreams.

Q. How has yours panned out?

I started playing American football in Brisbane five years ago with Bayside Ravens. I’ve been a Queensland and Australian rep too (the Queensland Sun Devils state team and the Outback Australian team). Three years ago, I was spotted by the University of Hawaii coaching staff. I was offered a scholarship and would have gone there to study and play but a few things got in the way. The defensive coordinator at Arizona Western Community College had also seen me in action, saw the gap when Hawaii wasn’t panning out, and went for it. I’m in my second year of an Associate Arts degree at Arizona Western.

Q. Explain your gridiron position. What’s its equivalent in Rugby League?

I play defensive tackle, the largest and strongest of the defensive players. It’s my job to block the opposition so that other players in the defensive front can attack ball carriers and rush the quarterback. It’s similar to playing second rower.

Q. How big are you? How strong and how fast?

I’m 200 cm tall and weigh around 150 kg. I can bench press over 250 kg and for my size, I’m considered very fast in my position.

Q. What do you put down to your success so far?

Positive attitude, determination, my training ethic — knowing there is someone else somewhere who is working harder than me to achieve their dreams makes me work harder and train harder to be the best — and my parents’ support at every level and step of the way.