Packers’ Evan Williams puts his name, heart behind Clubhouse Live food drive

Physical against the run and a ball-hawker in the pass game, Evan Williams continues to make a big impact for a sturdy Green Bay Packers defense that’s ranked fourth in the NFL in average yards allowed per game.

Turns out the 24-year-old safety and budding star can make a pretty big impact off the field, as well.

Williams put his name behind our efforts to give back to those in need by enthusiastically agreeing to be the guest for our annual Clubhouse Live food drive show.

To say it was a rousing success would be an understatement.

The event was held Monday, Dec. 1, inside The Fox Club at Neuroscience Group Field in Grand Chute – home of the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers – and ended up generating 630 pounds of non-perishable food items that were donated to Paul’s Pantry in Green Bay.

Piggly Wiggly sponsored the food drive and will make a 100% monetary match that Paul’s Pantry can use to stock up on other items of need.

Fans packed The Fox Club and formed a long line after the show – many with bags stuffed with food – to get Williams’ autograph and mingle with a player who has a team-leading three interceptions, is third in total tackles with 80 and is putting together a Pro Bowl-caliber season.

Clubhouse Live is USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin’s award-winning and weekly Packers show, and it can be seen in person Mondays at 6:30 p.m. during the football season. The show, in its 17th season, is also streamed live online.

“When I’m thinking about my scenario and how fortunate I am to be in the position I am, I got lucky at a lot of turns,” Williams said during the show. “I like to turn the shoulder and be able to give back to those that haven’t gotten lucky in some of those circumstances. It’s awesome to give back, in my opinion. Gives me a full heart.”

Giving back is nothing new for Williams.

He and his girlfriend Dayanara Herrera also co-hosted the annual Touchdowns for Hope event Nov. 7. The program benefits House of Hope Green Bay and – according to its Facebook page – raised nearly $200,000 to support its mission of ending family and youth homelessness.

Williams further raised awareness for House of Hope by showcasing the organization as part of the NFL’s recent My Cause My Cleats campaign.

“I was never much of a leader in terms of the ‘rah-rah’ – like the pregame speeches – at least growing up,” Williams said when asked about being a servant leader. “Wasn’t too big into the extrovert side of that leadership. But I always wanted to be somebody that led by action.

“And I feel like being able to work with causes for people that have been less fortunate that haven’t gotten as lucky as I have, and just by doing the action is a big part of being able to give back. I feel like that’s something I always wanted to be remembered by – just being able to help as many people as I can.”

This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Packers’ Evan Williams puts his name, heart behind Clubhouse Live food drive

Reporting by Brett Christopherson, Packers News / Appleton Post-Crescent

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect