Knighthawks Thinking of Williams' Family
Published on February 1, 2014 under National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Rochester Knighthawks News Release
When you think of iconic numbers in sports, you have 24 in baseball for Jackie Robinson and 99 in hockey for Wayne Gretzky. In professional lacrosse, the number that will receive equal status for the rest of the season is No. 51.
Shawn Williams will suit up for the Buffalo Bandits this week and don his familiar sweater, but eight other teams in the National Lacrosse League will also wear his signature number.
A sticker with two No. 51s - one for Shawn and one for his son Tucker - and the words "Braver than Brave" will adorn the helmets of NLL players this weekend. From Edmonton to Toronto and from Buffalo to Philadelphia, hundreds of professional lacrosse players will show support for one of their own.
"Willie is someone who a lot of guys know and respect. Anytime families have struggles, people unite, gather around those families and help them out," said Knighthawks Mike Accursi, who played with Williams in Rochester and Buffalo. "To wear a sticker for Tucker, who is between my oldest son and youngest daughter, it really hits home. It reminds you how fragile life is and how important family is. The Knighthawks are definitely a family and Willie was a part of that for a longtime. It's an honor to wear that for Willie and his family."
The story of the family's fight was made public Thursday, just days after Williams put up five points for the Bandits in a first-place battle against the Knighthawks. Last week, Shawn and his wife, Tamara, who have three children, received the news feared by every parent.
Their youngest son, 8-year-old Tucker, was sick and in need of immediate treatment. Tucker was diagnosed with Stage III Burkitt lymphoma, a form of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. An egg-sized tumor was removed from his mouth on January 24th and chemotherapy was administered two days later at Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto.
"You knew that he was in a lot of pain," Williams told Bandits.com. "But he was all smiles. He was just Tucker. I heard that a nurse stated that Tucker was "ÃËbraver than brave.' He was going to get through this."
Williams has played 17 seasons in the NLL and his career has taken him to Toronto, Rochester, Edmonton and Buffalo. His high-scoring, blue-collar style has endeared him to teammates and fans.
Knighthawks Assistant Coach Pat O'Toole has a special connection with Williams, having played junior and pro ball together. Their bond was evident in an emotional Hall of Fame speech delivered by Williams at O'Toole's NLL induction in December. Now, it was a chance for O'Toole to return the favor, and support his lifelong friend.
"He's a pretty emotional guy. A lot of guys think big, tough Willie, but you could see it in his eyes. At that time it was a whirlwind for him and everything was just coming out," said O'Toole. "You just want to be there for him. He is a dynamite person. He'd always be there for you. For him and Tam, you just want to make sure everything is okay."
The Rochester Knighthawks, who he played for from 2002-11, were thinking about Williams as they prepared for their flight to Edmonton on Friday.
"It's our calling. The lacrosse community is very much a brotherhood no matter what jersey you put one. There is a bigger picture and that is the sport of lacrosse. It just goes to show that when something like this happens, that everyone steps up across the board and I couldn't be more proud of the lacrosse community," said Dan Dawson. "My heart and soul goes out to the Williams family. They are an amazing family and they're the kind of family that I aspire to be when we start ours."
The Knighthawks Cody Jamieson, who played alongside Williams in 2011, voiced his support for Shawn and his family during this difficult time.
"Anyone that knows Willie knows what kind of guy he is. He is the guy that would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it," he said. "When something happens to another player it definitely hits home. Everybody always says it, but lacrosse is just one big family. It's a brotherhood. When something like that happens you try your best to help them out."
A website, www.braverthanbrave.com, has been established for those interested in supporting Tucker and his family.
"The support from the lacrosse community has been overwhelming in a great way," said Williams. "Our lacrosse community is second to none and the response has been unbelievable. I'm still getting texts from people every day. The lacrosse community is definitely the best community you want to belong to."
National Lacrosse League Stories from February 1, 2014
- Philadelphia Wings Expose Vancouver Stealth to Tally First Home Win of the Year - Philadelphia Wings
- Rock Fall 12-10 in Buffalo - Toronto Rock
- Knighthawks Thinking of Williams' Family - Rochester Knighthawks
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