Off the Field
Roy Williams was born on August 14, 1980 in Redwood City, California. A gifted athlete, Roy lettered in track in high school, but of course football was where he truly excelled. During his years at James Logan High School in Union City, California, Williams played quarterback, wide receiver and defensive back. He was the top-rated defensive back prospect in the western region after recording five interceptions and 56 tackles as a senior. He caught 13 passes for 301 yards and five touchdowns as a wide receiver while running for 162 yards and a touchdown on 38 carries. Williams was one of the main reasons for Logan's four-year record of 38-10, two North Coast Section Class 4A championship appearances (1994 and 1997) and two semifinal appearances (1995 and 1996).

Early on, it was instilled in Roy to be a good person, and to give back to others who were less fortunate. Roy is a ferocious presence on the football field, but he is a kindhearted humanitarian off the field. After signing his first pro contract, Williams made a $100,000 contribution towards a new strength training facility at the University of Oklahoma, as a part of the school's new indoor workout complex. The Roy Williams Strength and Speed Complex, complements the main Robin Siegfried Complex at the Switzer Center. As a member of the Cowboys 2002 Rookie Club – a program designed to introduce rookie team members to community service in the Dallas area – Williams participated in monthly charity visits to non-profit organizations serving children. He also participated as a guest speaker at the club's annual United Way Hometown Huddle event for 100 children involved with The Salvation Army. During the 2003 offseason, Williams served as a celebrity escort at the annual Children's Cancer Fund Fashion Show and Luncheon co-chaired by Troy Aikman and Roger Staubach and presented the Cowboys High School Coach of the Year Award to the Texas 5A State Champions Head Coach, Todd Dodge of Southlake Carroll High School. In July 2004, The Roy Williams Safety Net Foundation was established to help ensure low-income single mothers in the Dallas area receive support, guidance, and assistance to enhance their quality of life.

College Days
Roy Williams attended The University of Oklahoma where, as a sophomore starter for the Sooner's 2000 national championship team, he set a school record for tackles for loss by a defensive back, with 12. In 2001, his junior season at OU, Roy won the Bronko Nagurski Trophy as the nation's top overall defensive player and the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation's top defensive back, while leading the team to a 10-2 record and a win over Arkansas in the Cotton Bowl. That spectacular season also saw Williams set a school record with 27 pass deflections. He recorded a career-high 101 tackles with two sacks and 11 stops for losses. His 11 stops behind the line of scrimmage were one shy of his own school record for defensive backs (12 in 2000). He also intercepted five passes and recovered three fumbles. Williams was a unanimous selection to both the All-America and All-Big 12 teams. Williams started all 12 games at strong safety and finished the year third on the team with 93 tackles. His 12 stops for losses set a school record for defensive backs, and he had four sacks, two interceptions and nine deflected passes while recovering one fumble. In 1999, Williams played in every game, starting the final five, and recorded 75 tackles with a five-yard sack and six stops for losses of 21 yards. He also intercepted two passes and deflected 11 others while causing one fumble to earn Sporting News Freshman All-America honors.

Considered by many to be the nation's top collegiate football player in 2001, Williams ended a brilliant college career with one year of eligibility remaining. He entered the NFL drafte, and was selected by the Dallas Cowboys with the eighth overall pick of the 2002.

NFL Career
Roy Williams was selected by the Dallas Cowboys with the eighth overall pick of the 2002 NFL Draft, and he earned All-Rookie recognition while tying for the NFL interception lead among rookies with five. In the illustrious history of the Dallas Cowboys, only a handful of rookies have made the type of impact that Roy Williams brought to the club in 2002. As a starter from day one, Williams not only provided a spark to the Dallas defense, but by mid-season he became a force that was earning league-wide recognition and respect. It is rare for a first year player to create the type of impact that Williams had on the Dallas defense – both as a ferocious run stopper and as a big playmaker in pass defense. As one of the bigger safeties in the league – and a very sure tackler – Williams also has the knack for being able to get all of his body mass into his tackles. He is known throughout the league as a very intimidating presence in the Cowboys defensive secondary and can be a game changer with his bone-jarring hits. Williams possesses outstanding instincts and natural leadership qualities that make him invaluable to the Cowboys.