Ricky Williams honored as a Texas Exes Distinguished Alumnus Award winner
Ricky Williams, one of two Heisman Trophy winners in the history of Texas football and a central figure in laying the groundwork for the 2000s resurgence of the Longhorn program, was announced as one of six recipients of the Texas Exes’ Distinguished Alumnus Award on Monday.
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The Distinguished Alumnus Award recognizes “alumni who have made significant achievements in their careers and service to the university.”
Williams, who earned a bachelors’ degree in 2016 from UT’s College of Education, is a two-time All-American and a member of the UT Hall of Honor and the College Football Hall of Fame. Williams, along with fellow Longhorn Heisman Trophy winner Earl Campbell, were honored in 2020 when the playing surface of Darrell K Royal – Texas Memorial Stadium was renamed after them. Campbell is a fellow recipient of the Distinguished Alumnus Award.
The all-time leading rusher in the history of Texas football, Williams rushed for 6279 yards during his four-year Longhorn career. After three years under John Mackovic and an All-American and Doak Walker Award winning campaign in 1997, Williams returned to the Forty Acres in 1998 to play for first-year coach Mack Brown with his eyes on Tony Dorsett’s all-time NCAA rushing yardage record.
Williams delivered by rushing 361 times for 2124 yards and 27 touchdowns, and broke Dorsett’s record in the regular season finale versus Texas A&M. He won the Heisman Trophy and was selected with the fifth overall pick of the 1999 NFL draft by the New Orleans Saints.
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He played for 11 seasons in the league before embarking on a number of different ventures, including time spent as an assistant coach at the University of the Incarnate Word and as a television analyst for Longhorn Network. His Texas Exes bio lists him as a wellness expert, entrepreneur, and advocate who is the CEO of LILA Astrology, the co-founder of Real Wellness Herbal, and the founder of Highsman.
Former athletes have been the recipient of the Distinguished Alumnus Award on multiple occasions. Mike Perrin, a former Longhorn football player and athletic director, was honored in 2022. Campbell was honored in 2014. Multi-time Masters champion Ben Crenshaw was honored in 1997, while fellow golf star Tom Kite joined the company of Texas Exes held in high esteem in 1994. Legendary Dallas Cowboys head coach Tom Landry is also among the list of Exes to receive the award.
Other recipients of the 2023 Distinguished Alumnus Award include John C. Goff, Ed Hyman, Jeannie M. Leavitt, Ross R. Moody, and Dr. Mitchel Wong.
