Shomari Williams, a former Saskatchewan Roughrider defensive end, is launching off a career as a motivational speaker, telling his personal story to inspire kids to reach their potential.

“This is my second speech as a motivational speaker,” he said while he was at the Carrot River High School Nov. 16. “I’ve done lots of public speaking before for different things and different stuff, but this is my first time doing it on my own.”

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Williams was at the school with fellow former players Marcus Adams and Jordan Sisco. Wes Cates was slated to come but couldn't make it due to work committments.

“My goal is to inspire as many kids as I can to help them reach their goals and reach their potential,” he said, adding that he’s trying to spread a message of personal responsibility where kids actively seize the opportunities they need to take to make their dream possible.

The Carrot River event, hosted by Carrot River Integra Tire, the local recreation board and the school, was open to the public and included William’s speech, lunch, and a question and answer session.

Williams was born in Toronto, but was raised in Brampton, Ont.

While he was in Grade 6 and 7, competing at his school’s track meet, he placed second both years. After the second time, Williams swore to himself he’d win first place. For a year, he ran every day. He bought purple ankle weights and wore them daily in a bid to become stronger.

The next year, he had managed to defeat the student that always seemed to beat him. It was then Williams realized he could set goals and achieve them if he put the work into it.

In Grade 9, he started football. He swore to himself he’d earn a fully-paid football scholarship to a U.S. school. He’d wake up at 5 a.m. each day to work out. He sold candy to earn money to go to the U.S. to be seen by coaches. He sent out video tapes. By Grade 12, he was one of the best players in the city, but he didn’t get a scholarship.

He did earn a scholarship to the University of B.C., but a high school coach told him he’d be settling, so instead he went to Champlain Regional Prep in Lennoxville, Que. to continue his efforts to get a football scholarship. He would burn and sent out DVDs of his plays to all of the U.S. schools and then phone them and ask if they wanted him. Finally, the University of Houston said yes.

His time there was one of his most amazing experiences in his life, he told the audience. He travelled across the U.S., playing football. He earned a degree in entrepreneurship. He then came back to Canada, getting a teaching degree from Queen’s University. In 2010, he joined the Roughriders.

Besides the motivational speaking, Williams is also the founder of Top Prospects, a database of high school football players designed to help kids get athletic scholarships.

“You have different experiences and if you’re able to help people reach their goals, it’s the best feeling in the world, so I’ve been blessed to have a good journey and have a good story,” he said. “I think sharing that story with other kids inspires them to do things they love and that’s why I do it.”

Williams, who now lives in Regina, is hoping he’ll be able to continue with motivational speaking.

“I would love to grow it to be something I can do full time. [It’s something] I’m passionate about, getting to travel around, just talk and tell my story. That’s the end goal.”