Trent Williams, a legendary NFL left tackle and All-Pro, will be playing in the Super Bowl for the first time in his legendary career.
His 49ers colleagues understand how significant this chance is to him because it took him 13 seasons to get to the largest platform in professional sports.
The 35-year-old Williams will be playing in San Francisco's Super Bowl LVIII against the Kansas City Chiefs on February 11 at Allegiant Stadium. 49ers linebacker Fred Warner was asked by media before Thursday's practice whether he and the club are aware of the significance of the game for Williams.
I think we all kind of sense how much this means to him," added Warner. He constantly addresses the squad in the moments leading up to game day, so it's easy to pick up on his emotions. And the passion he brings to the field, both during and after games, as a result of his winning the NFC Championship and the possibility of playing in the Super Bowl.
Just because you're in your fourteenth year of your job at this point makes it very meaningful to him. After you've accomplished so much—being named to every team's All-Pro team, making every Pro Bowl, etc.—you want to leave an indelible mark. "I know it means a lot to him," I said, "because winning a Super Bowl is everything."
Williams has played in 188 games throughout his career, with 10 of those games being postseason contests with the Washington Wizards and the San Francisco 49ers. However, his first-ever playoff experience will be in less than two weeks. Once the 49ers defeated the Detroit Lions in the NFC Championship Game, the eleven-time Pro Bowl selection froze.
Just over two months after their devastating defeat to the Chiefs in Super Bowl LIV, the 49ers traded for Williams from the Washington Redskins before the 2020 NFL season. Even though Williams wasn't on that squad, he probably knows how important San Francisco's rematch with Kansas City is four years from now.
He will now attempt to bolster his already impressive resume with a Super Bowl victory.
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