Gas2No99 Posted June 14, 2017 Share Posted June 14, 2017 Leonard Williams taking leadership courses, learning from mentor Ronnie Lott Facebook Twitter Facebook Messenger Pinterest Email print FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- At the end of last season, Leonard Williams said his goal was to become a team leader for the New York Jets. He shared that sentiment with his girlfriend's father, who played a little football in his day. He suggested to Williams that he enroll in a leadership program, just as he did early in his own career. Williams did, and Hailey Lott's dad -- the great Ronnie Lott -- approved. "I applaud him," the Pro Football Hall of Famer told ESPN on Tuesday. "Most athletes are consumed by themselves, not consumed by trying to help others. He wants to get excited about trying to find ways to make the team better, not just himself." Williams signed up for five weekend seminars at the Ascension Leadership Academy in San Diego, where he's learning personal development with an emphasis on leadership. He'll head back to San Diego at the end of the month to complete the curriculum. Leonard Williams, left, is going above and beyond to become a leader on a Jets team that got a lot younger this offseason. Kelley L Cox/USA TODAY Sports More than ever, the Jets need a few good leaders. They stripped down their roster this offseason, jettisoning veterans such as David Harris, Eric Decker, Nick Mangold, Brandon Marshall and Darrelle Revis. There's a leadership void in the locker room, and they're counting on Williams to become the face of the defense, a unit still reeling from Harris' abrupt release. "Even before David was gone, I was ready to step into a leadership role and give back to the team as much as possible," Williams said Tuesday at minicamp. "I want to bring up some of the younger guys and show more involvement as a leader." Williams is the best player on the team, and he still hasn't celebrated his 23rd birthday. (That happens June 23.) Right now, he's a one-man foundation, looking to get better on and off the field at ALA. "I've learned that it's all a mindset," he said. "I kind of already knew that, but they harp on it a lot. Anything you think is possible, you can make possible." When Lott sensed Williams was serious about this leadership thing, he suggested that he go all-in. Lott, who finished his career with the Jets in 1994, was a respected leader on four Super Bowl championship teams with the San Francisco 49ers. He was a star at USC, as was Williams. They met through their Trojans connections and developed a strong friendship. Just recently, Lott, Williams and USC legend Marcus Allen -- another Hall of Famer -- had a three-way phone conversation. Williams is one lucky dude; what player wouldn't love to have Hall of Fame advisers a phone call away? "Marcus told him, 'We don't expect you to be good, we expect you to be the best that ever played,'" Lott said. Lott believes Williams has unlimited potential. "You want to have a player where, every time he lines up, the opponent is afraid of him and fears him," Lott said. "You want that guy. I think he has the capability of being like a J.J. Watt or Jadeveon Clowney. For him, I just hope he gets to a point where he thinks he's the best in the league." It's a credit to Williams that he wants to be a well-rounded player, not a diva absorbed with his own greatness. That's why he signed up for personal enrichment. "When you're there, it's not just athletes," he said. "It's everyday people, business people. You really learn a lot from each other and learn about your past and what holds you back. It's really cool. "It helps me go to work every day with a purpose. Sometimes when you're in camp, you do the same thing every day and you feel like you're going through the motions. This helps me wake up in the morning with set intentions every day." His popularity soared 11 days ago, when a video posted on Twitter showed him forcibly removing teammate Darron Lee from an apparent dispute with a woman at a music festival in New York. Both players declined to discuss the incident, which is being investigated by the NFL. His silence notwithstanding, Williams showed a take-charge attitude. The Jets need that, especially without Harris. "He passed down a lot of stuff to me," Williams said, "and I'm going to try to pass it down to the younger guys as well." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whodeawhodat Posted June 14, 2017 Share Posted June 14, 2017 wish i could double rep this. dont talk about it, be about it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BallinPB Posted June 14, 2017 Share Posted June 14, 2017 This guy just seems to impress me more everyday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Crusher Posted June 14, 2017 Share Posted June 14, 2017 Ronnie Lott and Dick Butkus my two all time favorite football players. Little time Lott was here I just loved the way he played. Leo got good taste in mentors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savage69 Posted June 14, 2017 Share Posted June 14, 2017 6 minutes ago, The Crusher said: Ronnie Lott and Dick Butkus my two all time favorite football players. Little time Lott was here I just loved the way he played. Leo got good taste in mentors. As opposed to you who want things that taste good.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Crusher Posted June 14, 2017 Share Posted June 14, 2017 7 minutes ago, Savage69 said: I'm a compiler. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbatesman Posted June 14, 2017 Share Posted June 14, 2017 But is he a natural-born leader of men? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savage69 Posted June 14, 2017 Share Posted June 14, 2017 20 minutes ago, The Crusher said: I'm a compiler. Some compile yards and some compile pounds between you 2 guys you get my vote for the HOF..Hall of Fat.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetmech Posted June 14, 2017 Share Posted June 14, 2017 I got duped into believing Sheldon would be a similar leader after the draft and his first year or so but he's gone in the opposite direction.If Williams keeps this up the Jets hit the lottery.Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gas2No99 Posted June 14, 2017 Author Share Posted June 14, 2017 6 hours ago, dbatesman said: But is he a natural-born leader of men? 8 hours ago, Gas2No99 said: Williams signed up for five weekend seminars at the Ascension Leadership Academy in San Diego, where he's learning personal development with an emphasis on leadership. He'll head back to San Diego at the end of the month to complete the curriculum. "Even before David was gone, I was ready to step into a leadership role and give back to the team as much as possible," Williams said Tuesday at minicamp. "I want to bring up some of the younger guys and show more involvement as a leader." Williams is the best player on the team, and he still hasn't celebrated his 23rd birthday. (That happens June 23.) Right now, he's a one-man foundation, looking to get better on and off the field at ALA. "I've learned that it's all a mindset," he said. "I kind of already knew that, but they harp on it a lot. Anything you think is possible, you can make possible." Apparently NOT since he has to take classes at an academy to LEARN leadership Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TuscanyTile2 Posted June 14, 2017 Share Posted June 14, 2017 And this chick on the left (whoever she is) is a leader of women: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azuma Posted June 15, 2017 Share Posted June 15, 2017 How anyone can demean Williams' effort in becoming a better leader is truly arrogant. This kid is just a baby in a man's body. Its really special to see Big Cat taking charge. Just when you think that you know, you realize you don't know sh*t. Leo Williams will be the Mean Joe Green of the New York Jets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetmech Posted June 15, 2017 Share Posted June 15, 2017 Apparently NOT since he has to take classes at an academy to LEARN leadership Not a natural born leader I guess.Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gas2No99 Posted June 15, 2017 Author Share Posted June 15, 2017 2 minutes ago, Jetmech said: Not a natural born leader I guess. Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk Taking into regards WHO I was replying to ( @T0mShane's ball washer, hehehe) I was being sarcastic and referring to an OLDER post about Jamal Adams being a Natural BORN leader - no academy necessary. You, unlike some other twits posting here, get the joke. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jet9 Posted June 15, 2017 Share Posted June 15, 2017 21 hours ago, The Crusher said: Ronnie Lott and Dick Butkus my two all time favorite football players. Little time Lott was here I just loved the way he played. Leo got good taste in mentors. So weird, I totally remember Ronnie Lott as a Jet, but I really don't remember those helmets at all. Googled it and apparently, they wore them in one game in '93 and again in '94. My brain blocked them out or something. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Crusher Posted June 15, 2017 Share Posted June 15, 2017 2 hours ago, Jet9 said: So weird, I totally remember Ronnie Lott as a Jet, but I really don't remember those helmets at all. Googled it and apparently, they wore them in one game in '93 and again in '94. My brain blocked them out or something. Thought the same thing when I saw that picture. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sperm Edwards Posted June 15, 2017 Share Posted June 15, 2017 So easy to like this kid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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