The Seahawks selected fullback John L. Williams with the 15^th overall pick in the first round after a four-year career at the University of Florida. Williams’ best trait was his versatility as he proved to be a dynamic weapon in both the run and pass game, totaling more 4,500 yards on the ground and 4,100 yards as a receiver during his eight years in Seattle. “He’s a guy that would probably almost fit better in today’s game than he did in that game. The way teams these days like to have really versatile guys at running back who can split out and things like that, John L. Williams would really fit that well,” said Seattle Times reporter Bob Condotta.

After two productive seasons to start his career, Williams broke out in the 1988 season rushing for 877 yards and four touchdowns and catching 58 passes for 651 yards and three touchdowns. His 1,528 yards from scrimmage were the most of any season in his career. His ability to contribute as a pass catcher out of the backfield was best exemplified in the team’s playoff game that season as he caught 11 passes which remain the second most in a single game by a Seahawks player in postseason history.  

Williams would record at least 1,000 yards from scrimmage in four consecutive seasons starting from 1988 through 1991. He would earn his first of two career Pro Bowl nominations in 1990 after rushing for 741 yards and four touchdowns to go along with 699 yards on 73 receptions, setting a career high in total touches with 260. He was also recognized as the team MVP for the second time in his career that season.  

Following eight seasons in Seattle, Williams would go on to play the final two seasons of his 10-year career in Pittsburgh before retiring from the NFL after the 1996 season. A year later, Williams was enshrined in the University of Florida Athletics Hall of Fame.