ASHBURN — Left tackle Trent Williams said Thursday the surgically-removed tumor on his scalp was cancerous and no longer trusts the Washington Redskins, blaming them for not treating the growth seriously enough.
Addressing reporters for the first time since last season, the seven-time Pro Bowler said he “almost lost” his life — telling the media he first developed the tumor six years ago. He had it removed this past offseason and committed to a months-long holdout before reporting to the team Tuesday.
Williams did not say whether he plans to play this season. He failed a physical Wednesday after feeling “discomfort” from his helmet on his scalp.
“It got pretty serious for a second,” Williams said. “I was told some scary things from the doctors. It was definitely nothing to play with. It was one of those things that will change your outlook on life.”
“Still even thinking about it, it’s a scary thing to go through,” he said later. “Think how you describe to your 9-year-old, your 5-year-old that daddy might not be here. It’s tough.”
Williams said he was diagnosed with a rare soft tissue cancer called “Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans” (DFSP). He blamed the team for not taking the time to “see what was going on there.” Williams said he was told the lump was minor, but it continued to grow over the years.
When he visited with the team’s doctors this offseason, he was told the issue had become “far more advanced than they realized.” The 31-year-old was sent to Chicago, where he spent two weeks and underwent a procedure.
He said no one from the team visited him when in the hospital, other than former teammate DeAngelo Hall.
“We literally caught it within weeks of metastasizing through to my brain to my skull,” he said, noting extracting was the only option, later adding, “Doing radiology on it would have put a cap on my life. I think 15 years was the most I would have had after I started chemo. So I had to cut it out.”
Hours after Williams’ spoke, the Redskins issued a statement in parting saying they have requested the league’s management council “convene a joint committee with the NFLPA to review the medical records and the medical care given to Trent Williams.”
“We have requested this review under the NFL’s Collective Bargaining Agreement that provides for an independent third party review of any … player’s medical care. The Redskins continue to prioritize the health and well-being of our players and staff.”
Asked why he committed to a holdout, Williams, who was fined more than $1 million for his absence, said the medical issue and the lack of guaranteed money on his contract played a factor in staying away. The Oklahoma product has two years left on his deal worth roughly $22 million, but the Redskins can waive him at any time without Williams seeing a dime.
Williams, too, was noncommittal about his desire to play for the Redskins. He first said the team will see how “this helmet thing turns out.” Williams has tried on two helmets and the team is trying to customize a helmet comfortable enough for him to wear. Asked again on the chance he plays for the Redskins, he said, “I’m not going to make a …” before trailing off.
Deeper issues, though, remain. Williams said he there’s “no trust there” with the organization. He clarified he still respects owner Dan Snyder and doesn’t have any ill will toward him. “It wasn’t his fault,” he said. “My displeasure comes from how long it lingered and how it was neglected and how it almost cost me my life.”
Notably throughout his 18-minute chat, Williams did not mention team president Bruce Allen by name. But he told reporters they can “kinda draw the conclusions if you want” and answered “next question” when asked if his relationship with Allen can be salvaged.
The Redskins looked to trade Williams in the days before Tuesday’s trade deadline. But the team held on to the seven-time Pro Bowler as no team met Washington’s asking price, reportedly a first-round pick and a quality playmaker.
Williams, however, said the Redskins weren’t serious in shopping him.
“When you give them 48 hours to strike a deal, it probably isn’t going to happen,” he said. “I just felt like that was done to embarrass me so to speak. Try to make I feel like, ‘Ain’t nobody want you. You’re not good enough for us to trade for.’ I felt like that was the play, more so than to get me moved.”
In his time away from the Redskins, Williams said he watched every one of his team’s games. He said he still cared for his teammates, adding he hated to see former coach Jay Gruden get fired.
Could money have fixed this situation? Williams said he wasn’t “asking them for a dime,” adding conversations about guaranteed money on his deal never progressed.
At some point over the past few months, Williams said he felt the discussions with the Redskins turned personal. He said his holdout became a power struggle, with the team not wanting to fold because of the precedent it would set.
Still, Williams said the medical issue was a tipping point because he felt like he had sacrificed a lot. Over his nine seasons, Williams played through various injuries, including a dislocated kneecap in 2017. “I just expected the same type of respect back,” he said.
“There are some things that happened that are hard to look past if I’m just being honest with you,” Williams said. “That’s just what it is.”
• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.
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