Milton Williams knows how rare this moment is yet again. After winning a Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles last season, the defensive lineman now finds himself back in the same spot with the New England Patriots. Only 26 years old, it’s shocking to have this type of career this early on, but Williams has just that.
Speaking to the media during the week, Williams admitted that he couldn’t even dream about something like this happening.
“Woo, to pull that off, it'll be something I didn't even dream about,” Williams said, per NFL.com. “I just dreamt about being in the NFL, playing in one. Winning? Back to back? That would be something I didn't even dream about. I always say I'm just blessed to be in this situation, just to have this opportunity. I'm gonna do everything I can to try and take advantage of it.”
Williams’ perspective carries extra weight because he’s lived both sides of the Super Bowl experience. With the Eagles, he saw the high of winning it all. Now, with the Patriots, he’s trying to help a new locker room navigate the stress that comes with Super Bowl week.
As a player who has already been through this, Williams has taken it upon himself to help teammates who are experiencing it for the first time.
“Just telling them to keep it simple,” Williams said. “I told them all of this is happening, gonna be asked a lot of questions, gonna have to deal with a lot of media. Just deal with it and make sure in practice and in our meetings that we're locked in. And when we have our little free time, you go have fun or do whatever.”
On the field, Williams brings leadership to a Patriots defense that’s been great throughout the season but will face one of its toughest tasks yet against the Seattle Seahawks.
Regardless of what happens, Williams is ready to go and try to put another ring on his finger.
"It's great, man. I just say I'm blessed to be in this situation," Williams said Monday at Super Bowl LX Opening Night. "This is my third Super Bowl in five years. It's crazy. You know, people always talk about guys not going their entire career, playing 10-12 years and not going. It's just great, man."