Wide receiver Roy Williams, whose career fizzled after the Dallas Cowboys traded for him in a blockbuster deal, announced his retirement on his Facebook page Saturday.
Williams, who the Detroit Lions selected seventh overall out of Texas in the 2004 draft, had 357 catches for 5,285 yards and 42 touchdowns in nine seasons for the Lions, Cowboys and Chicago Bears. He was a Pro Bowler in 2006, when he had his lone 1,000-yard season, catching 82 passes for 1,310 yards.
The Cowboys gave up first- and third-round picks to acquire him at the 2008 trade deadline and signed him to a six-year, $54 million contract extension that week. Williams was released less than three years later, recording only 94 receptions for 1,324 yards and 13 touchdowns in 40 games for the Cowboys.
Williams signed with the Bears after being cut by the Cowboys, catching 37 passes for 507 yards and two touchdowns last season. He did not receive any contract offers this summer.
"My time in the NFL is over, had a great time, ups and downs, met soooo many ppl, fans, and friends," Williams wrote on his Facebook page. "... But now it's time for me to have my family time that I've missed for the last 9yrs, spending it with (children) Jordan and Dallas and the ppl who love me, so I will never strap it up again (even tho i can still play), but at the same time I'm ready to give that dream up."
Williams worked out for the Houston Texans in July but was not signed. Williams told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram that he recently declined an invitation to work out for the Miami Dolphins.
"Came into the league healthy, and im walking away healthy, with my head held high," Williams wrote on Facebook. "Thank you all who've cheered for me, booed me, and loved me, y'all are still fans to me!"
