Arnie Williams ready to watch ex-teammate Brett Favre enter HOF

Williams had shared stories with his wife and children over the years of how he played college football with Favre at the University of Southern Mississippi and now there he was in person, an impromptu opportunity to catch up on old times.

“Of course, the children were like, ‘Hey daddy, you really played football with Brett Favre,’” Williams said. “They were able to stand there and shake his hand and I told them, ‘Guys, this guy is one of the best to ever play the game.’ That day meant a whole lot to them.”

Williams will gather his family on Saturday to watch Favre be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, officially taking his rightful place among the best to ever play the game.

“We’ve got to watch it,” Williams said. “I’ve got to see him go in. I was there for the beginning and I don’t want to miss this at the end.”

Williams was one year behind Favre in college, so they played three seasons together at USM from 1988-90.

By the time Williams arrived on campus, Favre had established himself as starting quarterback with an outstanding freshman season. Williams came in as strong safety from Bay Minette, Ala., but was switched to inside linebacker as a sophomore.

“My receiver would be running 10 yards behind me and I’d be 10 yards from Brett only to see another completed pass to my receiver. Shortly after that, I got the nickname ‘Toast’ and that was the beginning of my last days of being a strong safety.”

The Golden Eagles went 10-2 that season and won the Independence Bowl.

“That was just an incredible season, especially for someone who had won only six games my entire high school career,” Williams said. “I think in four of those wins we came from behind in the fourth quarter with Brett out there making it happen. If it was tight in the fourth quarter, we knew we had a legit chance to win because of Brett. He could do anything it seemed.”

Williams switched to linebacker as a sophomore, so he continued to face Favre a lot in practice – with the edict, of course, that the star quarterback was not to be touched, much less tackled.

“He had the red jersey but if he could have gone live, he would have,” Williams said. “He was tough. He was not your typical quarterback.

“Brett enjoyed having fun. No matter how bad we were hurting, he always kept things light. There was always a lot of jawing in practice. I would break through the offensive line and I’d run by him and say, ‘I could have got you,’ and he’d turn around and say, ‘In your dreams.’”

Of course, Favre is perhaps best known for his ability to zip the football with his strong right arm.

One throw in one practice in the 1990 season particularly stands out for Williams.

Favre was injured in a summer car accident that caused him to miss the season opener of his senior year. He was cleared to play the following week against 13th-ranked Alabama in the debut of head coach Gene Stallings.

“My roommate Greg Reed was a wide receiver,” Williams recalled. “He had this new pair of gloves that the receivers started wearing back then and he was so excited about them. The palm side of it was leather to help you catch the ball. Brett threw Greg a pass and I heard this loud pop.

“After catching the pass, Greg came over and showed me his brand new gloves. Brett was so excited to compete again that he threw it so hard it busted the seam of those gloves between the thumb and forefinger. It made a popping noise that I’ll never forget.”

Favre, Williams and the Golden Eagles upset the Crimson Tide 27-24, which still ranks among the greatest victories in USM history. (They also defeated No. 15 Auburn 13-12 that season.)

Favre, a native of Kiln, Miss., moved on to a 20-year NFL career in which he passed for 71,838 yards and 508 touchdowns, both of which rank second all-time. He owns the record for the most consecutive starts (297).

“One of the most remarkable things was to see him be developed after he left Southern,” Williams said. “They knew from the start there was something special about him and to see that unfold was a lot of fun. Any game could be a highlight film.

“As a former teammate, I am humbled and honored to have played with him those three seasons. This couldn’t be happening to a better guy. This was something he truly worked for. He didn’t just rest on his talent. He worked hard and that’s what true competitors do to be prepared for any circumstance that might come your way. That’s the type of player he was. That’s the type of leader he was.”