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Former Oklahoma OL Trent Williams Shares Tearful Moment With Mom On Field

Originally posted on Oklahoma Sooners on SI
By John E. Hoover | Last updated Feb 1, 2024 6:18 PM ET

Former Oklahoma offensive lineman Trent Williams shared a poignant – even tearful – moment on the field with family last Sunday.

After Williams' San Francisco 49ers beat Detroit to win the NFC Championship and land a spot in Super Bowl 58, Williams' postgame interview on the field was interrupted by his mother, Veronica Williams, who shed happy tears in the moment.

“This has been the longest journey,” Veronica Williams said on NBC Sports Bay Area’s 49ers Postgame Live, as she broke into tears. “He’s been on the worst team. ... I’m so happy. We’re going (to the Super Bowl). I’m so proud of him.”

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Watch Trent Williams' postgame interview

It’s Williams’ first trip to the Super Bowl in a long, decorated career.

Williams, 35, is an 11-time Pro Bowl selection and has been selected first-team All-Pro three straight years. At OU, he was a two-time All-American and three-time All-Big 12 selection before Washington drafted him No. 4 overall in the 2010 NFL Draft.

“Words can’t describe it,” Williams said. “They really can’t. Man, I’m blessed beyond measure. I'm so proud of this team.”

His mother’s reference to “worst team” includes the first nine seasons of his career with Washington, when he appeared in just two playoff games before sat out all of the 2019 season due to contractual and personal grievances with the team.

The 49ers lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIV that season, then traded for Williams in April 2020. In his short time in San Francisco, the 49ers lost two NFC Championship Games before beating Detroit for a spot in this year's big game.