Elon’s Miles Williams sees beyond the football field. Williams can read a quarterback’s eyes and make plays on the field, but the junior safety would rather leave an impact in the community than in the secondary.
“I felt like I always wanted to help people,” Wiliams said. “I thought early on that was something I wanted to do in terms of counseling and things like that. When I came to Elon, I figured out what I wanted to do, and that was help young people.”
In spring of 2012, Williams was required to complete community service hours for a human services class. It was during that time that he grew attached to the Positive Attitude Youth Center and was impacted by the kids he interacted with. From there, Williams continued to volunteer his time and effort in the Elon and Burlington, N.C., communities. He has worked with the Boys and Girls Club and Special Olympics, as well as mentoring and tutoring children at Elon First Baptist Church.
Because of his work in the community, Williams was nominated for the Allstate Good Works Team, but did not really think he deserved to be nominated, much less deserve a spot on the team.
On September 17, 2013, Williams was selected as a member of the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team which recognizes college football players for their community service and off-the-field accomplishments. He was invited to New Orleans to be recognized at the Allstate Sugar Bowl and take part in a community service project with the other members of the Good Works Team.
“It’s an amazing recognition for Miles,” teammate Akeem Langham said. “As a friend I’m happy for him and glad for him. It’s something that I’m sure he is enjoying. It’s good to be around people like that. To see Miles doing well and excelling not only on the field, but in the classroom and in the community, is something you want on your team. “
Not long after being recognized for his community service work in the Elon community, Williams took his service across the ocean, travelling to Ghana in January to help collect school supplies, books and soccer balls for schools throughout the country.
“Being able to take a trip to Africa was nothing short of amazing,” Williams said. “I went with a wonderful group and we encountered so many amazing people throughout our journey. God worked in me and through me the whole trip and that is something I will remember for the rest of my life.”
Williams hopes to use his experience to meet his long-term goal of starting a charter school for boys in the inner-city. He wants to give children the chance to have a great education that they may not get in the public school system and show them the impact they can have giving back to the community.
“I think Miles is one of those guys who can do anything he wants to do in life and do anything he enjoys,” Langham said. “I think wherever Miles sees himself in the next five to ten years is exactly where Miles will be.”
For now, you can find him helping in the Elon community and trying to make an impact beyond the football field.