- The Washington Times - Thursday, December 4, 2014

Having watched his paternal grandfather, John L. Hawkins, die of complications from type 2 diabetes, Washington Redskins left tackle Trent Williams felt compelled to find a way to help raise awareness of the disease.

This weekend, he’ll serve as an ambassador for the American Diabetes Association in its “Tackle Diabetes” campaign, with the goal of raising awareness of a disease that affects more than 30 million Americans.

“With us having the platform that we have, and with me being a bigger guy, being an offensive lineman, we’re encouraged to carry excess weight, [so it’s important] to let folks know that after football, I really have to focus on eating healthy and staying active and obviously meeting with a physician all the time to go on over and basically get myself checked up,” Williams said. “I have a family history with it, so this is basically what it is. We’re just trying to raise awareness, and me having been affected by it, I felt like it was a perfect opportunity for me.”

Williams’ plan, he said, is to wear special cleats for the Redskins’ game against the St. Louis Rams, and he will then sign them and auction them off to raise money for the charity.

Hawkins died when Williams was in elementary school, and Williams regrets being unable to have Hawkins watch him play football or attend any other family functions because of his illness.

“We always had to go over and visit him, and it was kind of a sight that no little kid would want to be a part of,” Williams said. “I’m not gonna be able to just sit up on the couch after 10 years of football, 12 years of football and just be a couch potato. I’m gonna still have to get out and be active, because I’m raising two daughters of my own and I want them to lead a healthy life. I know I have to be a good example.”

For more information, visit diabetes.org/teamup.

• Zac Boyer can be reached at zboyer@washingtontimes.com.

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