Humans of NGU: JQ Williams explains the struggles of being a college student athlete
T’Kaveon Lanier, Contributing Writer
Who is JQ Williams? Williams is a student athlete that faces multiple challenges such as finding a better life, juggling a busy schedule and having mental toughness.
Williams was born in Tallahassee, Florida. That is where he found the love of the game of football. This is the city where Williams was surrounded by gang violence and a household not suitable for a young kid.
Williams was adopted and taken in by a great family. Together they moved to Bluffton, South Carolina. Williams experienced a better life, and his childhood dream came true. Williams then became a college football player.
Immediately, Williams faced the pressures of being a student athlete. He believes full heartedly being a student athlete is more difficult than being a normal student.
He said, “Hard to balance my school schedule alongside meetings, practices and games.”
Even in the offseason he must manage workouts and studying for final exams.
According to Williams “Adjusting to an unfamiliar environment on your own is challenging.” He says he misses his family often and can start to get homesick at times.
Last summer Williams tore his ACL while playing a friendly pickup basketball game. He couldn’t walk for three months. He struggled getting around campus and trying to get used to the uncomfortable feeling all while learning how to walk on his own again. Also, the mental battle of not being able to play football.
There is still light at the end of the tunnel. No matter how chaotic the process can be, it’s important to still find the good in the situation.
“Having relationships and making connections helps a lot,” Williams said. Being able to socialize with friends and teammates lifts him up every day.
