Jesse Williams

Arthur and Sonia Williams accepting on behalf of Jesse Williams.

Born on Thursday Island and raised in Brisbane, Jesse Williams has grown up to become the first Indigenous Australian to play American football at the highest level.

Although his success is now playing gridiron football in the USA, Jesse first started out playing rugby league and basketball. Playing basketball from the age of 9, Jesse went from local school and club representation to State School Champions for Metropolitan East through to Under 14 Club National Championships in Alice Springs in 2003.

Jesse then took a year off sport, but was persuaded to participate in flag football to learn how to play American Football, gridiron. There was no looking back. At the age of 14, Jesse started playing for his local gridiron club, the Bayside Ravens in Brisbane.

Jesse’s success has continued as he went on to play state representative competition and then national representative competition. In April 2013, Jesse was drafted into the NFL where he currently plays for the Seattle Hawks. A strong role model who is described as achieving everything he sets his mind to, Jesse is a fine example of hard work and determination leading to great results.