Jamaal Williams Perfectly Fits Saints and Who Dat Nation

Newly signed Saints running back Jamaal Williams has the perfect personality for the team and Who Dat Nation.

Kyle T. Mosley | Mar 18, 2023

Jamaal Williams Perfectly Fits Saints and Who Dat Nation /

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New Orleans Saints

Besides introducing Pokemon's EeVee to the local media, and his manifestation of coming to New Orleans with running backs coach Joel Thomas, new Saints running back Jamaal Williams is "all business."

My first takeaway after his introductory press conference: Saints fans will love Jamaal Williams! He's a New Orleans type of guy - fun, quirky, original, loves entertaining an audience, and a tad eccentric.

Williams will fit in perfectly! He's not dark and brooding like most NFL players chose to be with media, which is vital for a team in transition.

"I'm just grateful to be here and be part of a team that already knows how to win and knows what to do," Williams cited to the reporters. "So I'm just coming in and just bringing my part in here."

CONTROLLING THE MEDIA'S NARRATIVE

He's probably the first Saints player in years that absolutely controlled a press conference for 18 minutes with laughter and animation.

Saints media received lessons from Pokemon, the real Jamaal Williams, to what he brings to the New Orleans Saints as a player and teammate.

Snagging Williams at the start of free agency was a coup for Mickey Loomis. The Saints and Williams officially completed the 3-year, $12M deal to bring him to New Orleans to pair with star running back Alvin Kamara. However, the embattled Kamara will have legal issues to handle and a possible NFL suspension for his alleged participation in an altercation before last season's Pro Bowl game.

USATSI_19496196_168388561_lowres — Oct 28, 2018; Minneapolis, MN, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) carries the ball during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Oct 28, 2018; Minneapolis, MN, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) carries the ball during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

IN THE BACKFIELD

Williams was an excellent addition to a struggling New Orleans running attack with 12 rushing touchdowns in 2022. Last season, Williams had 17 by himself for Detriot.

He and Taysom Hill were a tandem in the BYU backfield while in college. Green Bay selected him as the 134th overall pick in the 4th round of the 2017 NFL Draft - the same draft class as Alvin Kamara. "Alvin's always been cool," Williams said. "I can't wait to work with him when I actually can see him. And then we actually start hanging out."

Jamaal mentioned that he's "grateful to be able to partner with great [running] backs." Also, he sees it as a "positive competition" to be "about pushing my teammates to the best that they can be, and them pushing me. That's the only way that we can get better. Iron sharpens iron."

WHAT LED HIM TO NEW ORLEANS?

Williams believes he manifested becoming a Saint after a casual meeting with running backs coach Joel Thomas at the Super Bowl when he told him, "I'll see you soon."

Detroit offered to re-sign their league-leading touchdown maker but "couldn't come to terms."

"I'm still wishing blessings and positivity to people because that's the only way blessings and positivity coming to you. It's when darkness starts happening. You got to be the light. And I feel like just me having a good attitude and energy about this whole situation led me here to a great spot and being able to be picked up here and be a Saint."

I expect more great quotes and one-liners from Jamaal Williams during his tenure in New Orleans. However, his personality and genuine spirit will make him a positive figure for the Saints fans and people in the Gulf Coast region.

CONTROLLING THE MEDIA'S NARRATIVE

IN THE BACKFIELD

WHAT LED HIM TO NEW ORLEANS?

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