Louisiana SCR 73: COMMENDATIONS: Commends Pat Williams on being inducted into the 2026 class of the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame.

Bill Text

SLS 26RS-66 ORIGINAL
2026 Regular Session
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 73
BY SENATOR SEABAUGH
COMMENDATIONS. Commends Pat Williams on being inducted into the 2026 class of the
Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame.
1 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
2 To commend Pat Williams on being inducted into the 2026 class of the Louisiana Sports
3 Hall of Fame.
4 WHEREAS, each year the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in Natchitoches, Louisiana
5 collaborates with the Louisiana Sports Writers Association in selecting a limited number of
6 sports figures who embody the character, skill, talent, and accomplishment worthy of being
7 named to the Hall of Fame; and
8 WHEREAS, the 2026 Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Induction Class includes Pat
9 Williams; and
10 WHEREAS, Pat Williams, a native of Monroe, rose from humble beginnings to
11 become one of the premier run-stopping defensive linemen in the National Football League,
12 earning widespread respect for his strength, durability, and consistent excellence on the field;
13 and
14 WHEREAS, Williams first distinguished himself as a standout athlete at Wossman
15 High School before continuing his football career at Navarro College, where he earned two
16 All-American honors and established himself as one of the nation's top junior college
17 defensive linemen; and
18 WHEREAS, he transferred to Texas A&M University, where he continued to
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SCR NO. 73
SLS 26RS-66 ORIGINAL
1 develop his skills and earned second-team All–Southwest Conference honors while
2 competing for the Texas A&M Aggies football program; and
3 WHEREAS, despite going undrafted, Williams demonstrated perseverance and
4 determination by earning a place in the NFL, beginning a remarkable fourteen-year
5 professional career that included 200 games played with 157 starts for the Buffalo Bills and
6 the Minnesota Vikings; and
7 WHEREAS, Williams became widely recognized as one of the league's most
8 effective run defenders and earned selections to the Pro Bowl in 2006, 2007, and 2008
9 during his tenure with the Minnesota Vikings; and
10 WHEREAS, anchoring the defensive line at nose tackle, Williams played a key role
11 in the Vikings' dominance against the run, helping the team lead the NFL in rushing defense
12 for three consecutive seasons from 2006 through 2008 and ranking among the league's top
13 units for several additional seasons; and
14 WHEREAS, during his distinguished career, Williams recorded 466 tackles, 20.5
15 sacks, nine fumble recoveries, eight forced fumbles, and one interception, demonstrating his
16 versatility and impact on the defensive side of the ball; and
17 WHEREAS, his performance and leadership earned him numerous accolades,
18 including recognition as a second-team member of the 2000s All-Decade Team by Pro
19 Football Reference and the Ed Block Courage Award from the Buffalo Bills in 2003, an
20 honor bestowed by teammates to recognize courage and sportsmanship; and
21 WHEREAS, throughout his career, Williams was celebrated for his durability and
22 dedication, collecting an extraordinary thirty-seven game balls awarded by coaches and
23 finishing his final NFL season in 2010 by playing all sixteen games at age thirty-eight,
24 making him the oldest defensive player in the league at that time; and
25 WHEREAS, through hard work, perseverance, and exceptional performance, Pat
26 Williams brought pride to the citizens of Monroe and the entire state of Louisiana while
27 establishing a legacy as one of the most respected defensive linemen of his era.
28 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
29 commend Pat Williams on being inducted into the 2026 class of the Louisiana Sports Hall
30 of Fame.
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SCR NO. 73
SLS 26RS-66 ORIGINAL
1 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to Pat
2 Williams.
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Senate Legislative Services.
The keyword, summary, and digest do not constitute part of the law or proof
or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
DIGEST
SCR 73 Original 2026 Regular Session Seabaugh
Commends Pat Williams on being inducted into the 2026 class of the Louisiana Sports Hall
of Fame.
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