Erik Williams

Erik George Williams (born September 7, 1968 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is a former American football offensive tackle in the National Football League who played most of his career with the Dallas Cowboys (1991-2000).

Williams was a four time Pro Bowler attending the game in 1993, 1996, 1997, and 1999. His ability to protect quarterback Troy Aikman and to run-block for running back Emmitt Smith helped the Cowboys win Super Bowls in 1993, 1994, and 1996. "Big E," was one of the few Tackles to consistently play Hall of Fame defensive end Reggie White to a standoff. Williams, participating as a coaching intern, will be with the Dallas Cowboys in this year's 2008 Training Camp in Oxnard, California.

Williams was involved in a serious one-car accident October 24, 1994, which caused him to miss the rest of the 1994 season and took a long period of time before he was 100% recovered. Williams suffered a damaged right knee as well as a broken rib, torn ligaments in his left thumb and facial lacerations that required plastic surgery. A magnetic scan on the knee indicated two torn ligaments -- the medial collateral and posterior cruciate -- and a torn muscle. [1] Many believe the NFL's implementation of the Hands to the Face penalty was at least partly a result of Williams' use of the tactic early in his career. As a result, Williams was limited in his effectiveness in the later parts of his career.

He also played five games for the Baltimore Ravens in 2001.

He attended Central State University.

Michael Irvin and Williams false sexual assault charge

In 1997, days before the Cowboys were to play the Carolina Panthers in a playoff game [2], Williams was involved in a high-profile sexual assault case when a Dallas woman, Nina Shahravan, falsely accused Williams and teammate Michael Irvin of raping her at Williams' home. The police investigation determined that no assault had occurred and were able to confirm that Irvin was not at Williams' home on the date in question. Confronted with the evidence gathered by the police, Shahravan recanted her story. She was charged with perjury and filing a false police report. In a plea bargain, she pled guilty to perjury and was sentenced to 90 days in jail and a $1,500 fine.