“Earlier in the year, (Patriots coach Mike Vrabel) asked our team to raise our hand if you were playing football this time last year, I was the only guy raising his hand, so it was a little weird,” Williams said. “But I’m just glad all the guys can raise their hands. To be OK, ask that question next year. We were there in the same situation, in the Super Bowl.”
Reality certainly hit when New England toppled Denver 10-7 in a game that looked more like a blizzard than a conference game.
“You know, after the game – I had tears of joy last year when we beat it in Philly – so after the game in Denver, just seeing the guys cry and something on the sidelines about getting it done, that was it,” Williams said. “I was kind of laughing at them, calling them soft. I was in the same situation last year, crying like a baby, so I understand.”
Now that they’ve experienced the joy of an emotional, dream-like victory, the Patriots know it’s time to achieve the greatest goal of all: winning a seventh Lombardi Trophy. Fortunately, much like Darius Slay did to several Eagles teammates prior to Super Bowl LIX, the Patriots have some veterans who can guide them through the process.
“Just telling them to keep it simple,” Williams said of his Super Bowl advice to his teammates. “I told them it’s all happening, there’s going to be a lot of questions, a lot of media to deal with. Just deal with it and make sure in practice and in our meetings that we’re locked in. And when we have a little free time, you go have fun or do whatever.
“Because I mean it’s a family, it’s fans, there’s a lot going on. But all the fun is for them. We come here to win the game.”
The significance of such an accomplishment extends far beyond the current Patriots roster, but as Williams noted Monday, it would also be especially meaningful to him. He’d won two Super Bowls in two seasons with two different organizations, helped one reach a goal it was painfully short of two seasons earlier, and then done the same for a franchise that couldn’t have been further from the mountaintop a year earlier.
“Wow, to accomplish this, it’s going to be something I never even dreamed of,” Williams said. “I just dreamed of being in the NFL, playing in one. Win? Back-to-back? That would be something I didn’t even dream of. I always say I’m just blessed to be in this position, just to have this opportunity. I’m going to do everything I can to try to take advantage of it.”
Oh, and don’t forget the haters. Williams certainly isn’t, and proved it when asked if his Patriots have the talent to win it all.
“Definitely,” Williams said. “Sure. Like I said, I like us.”