The Philadelphia Eagles released offensive tackle Bernard Williams on Thursday, although he has not played for them since 1994.
The Birds chosen Williams in the primary round of the 1994 NFL Draft, and he was named to the league’s All-Rookie team that season.
Nevertheless, that was also the last time he’d suit up within the NFL.
He tested positive for marijuana the next July, prompting a six-game suspension.
Three months later, he again registered a positive test, which led to him being suspended for the rest of the season.
Williams could have returned for the 1996 season and beyond, but he never applied for reinstatement.
So, he technically had been a suspended member of the Eagles this whole time.
He was the 14th selection in that draft out of Georgia, and he began all 16 games in his lone NFL season.
He took six years off from football before playing within the Canadian Football League in 2000.
Williams also frolicked with the XFL and within the Arena Football League before again playing within the CFL for the Toronto Argonauts from 2003 and 2006.
He was a member of the 2004 Grey Cup championship team.
His last NFL game was also Wealthy Kotite’s final game with the Eagles. Just 13 current Eagles had been born when Williams last played.
Williams is now technically a free agent on the age of 51.
