STEELE SPORTS

Owatonna football may not have won its state quarterfinal game last weekend against St. Thomas Academy, but the final score of the game was hardly the most important moment at Woodbury High School that day.

Everyone who follows Huskies’ football knows head coach Jeff Williams leads with his heart on his sleeve – it’s part of who he is.

That’s why when Williams was ejected from Owatonna’s biggest game of the season for sticking up for his players, it’s no surprise the student section cheered him on with chants of “We love Williams!”

Williams has made a career as a Minnesota state football legend not only for his accolades on the Huskies’ sideline, but for his dedication to mentoring young men in the community to reach their full potential both as athletes and human beings.

Many coaches will go their entire career searching for the perfect recipe of talent, work ethic, strategy and general luck to even just make it to the state playoffs.

Most coaches fail in their endeavors.

Williams has made winning the standard in Owatonna.

After being ejected and returning to the field to a team of sad faces, Williams chose not to be visually frustrated or speak angrily about the situation that seemingly wronged him.

Instead, he spoke about his team’s strong effort and how he would not allow his players to be treated unfairly and not protected to the fullest.

This is the mark of a true winner.

Football always comes to an end at some point for all athletes, whether it’s that last snap in high school or somewhere down the line in college or the professional leagues for the few lucky ones that advance on.

What never fades is how you treat the people you care about.

Williams set forth an example this past weekend that will forever be cemented in the minds of Huskies fans, parents and athletes about who he is: a true advocate for his student-athletes.

While it’s unfortunate that the season is now over, what I can assure you is that every player from that team will remember Williams’ action in that moment of adversity and remember fondly how their head coach was willing to put himself on the line for his guys.

That’s how you light a fire under your team.

It’s how Owatonna football has become the powerhouse we’ve come to know.