HOF Artifact of the Week

This is the first baseball bat ever collected by the Pro Football Hall of Fame. It was give to Aeneas Williams as the “Big Hit” award after the St. Louis Rams defeated the Seattle Seahawks 23-12 on November 14, 2004. In the game, Williams caused Shaun Alexander to fumble at the Rams’ 9-yard line in the fourth quarter to help preserve the victory. Williams was traded to the Rams in 2001 after playing 10 years with Arizona Cardinals. He proved to be a godsend for the Rams who had an historically bad defense the year prior to his arrival giving up nearly 30 points a game.

Williams turned the defense around in his first season with Rams in 2001 as the unit gave up less than 17 points a game ranking third overall in yards allowed. Williams earned All-Pro honors that season as e Rams finished the season 14-2 before losing to the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XXXVI. The Rams made the NFL Playoffs three out of four years Williams was with the team.

During his career from 1991-2004, Williams registered 55 interceptions nine of which he returned for touchdowns. He was named to the Pro Bowl seven times a corner and once as safety in 2003. He was also selected the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1990s. Williams had the rare combination of a great coverage skills and as this award attests to great physical tackling skills as well.