Before Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams dyed his trademark dreadlocks pink and painted his toenails pink in honor of his late mother, Sandra Hill, who lost her battle with breast cancer in May.

DeAngelo Williams changed his look Sunday to honor his late mother, Sandra Hill, who lost her battle with breast cancer in May. Sam Sharpe/USA TODAY Sports

Williams has been at the forefront of the NFL's breast cancer awareness campaign and is credited with persuading the league to allow players to wear pink in October for breast cancer awareness month.

Williams hasn't done interviews since his mother's death, other than a first-person article in May for Peter King's "Monday Morning Quarterback" website.

In the piece, Williams discussed with great passion what his mother meant to him and how his four aunts also died of cancer. He talked about his mother's smile, how she always was there for others fighting the cancer.

"Breast cancer, whether I like it or not, is part of my family's story,'' wrote Williams. "That's why I am so passionate about raising awareness, because I have seen firsthand how it can impact others.''

Williams helped Carolina overcome the absence of injured quarterback Cam Newton on Sunday, rushing for a team-high 72 yards in the Panthers' 20-14 victory.

ESPN.com Panthers reporter David Newton contributed to this report.