Bills DT Williams to retire after Sunday's game

Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Kyle Williams will play the final game of his career Sunday against the Miami Dolphins. On Friday, the Bills announced that Williams planned to retire after Sunday's game, ending a 13-year career spent entirely with the franchise. "Kyle Williams truly is a class act," Buffalo coach Sean McDermott said Friday, per the team's official Twitter account. "He bleeds red, white and blue and I'm extremely proud of everything he's accomplished." McDermott said Williams told him of his plans on Monday and termed the news "the worst Christmas present a man could get." A five-time Pro Bowl selection, Williams explained the reasons for his decision in an open letter to the team's fans, which he titled "Thank You." "There's no perfect time to retire from a game, a franchise, and a city that mean so much to me and my family. But it's time to hang up my cleats," Williams wrote. "A singular word sticks out when I look back on my NFL career. Grateful. To have spent this much time with one team. To have had the opportunity to get to know this organization, this community, and more importantly, the people. To have raised my family here. To have made countless memories and friendships, on and off the field." Williams went on to thank the current and former owners of the Bills as well as his teammates, coaches, family and fans. "I've been at this a really long time but it doesn't feel like it, and that's a testament to your unwavering support," wrote Williams. "I could not be more grateful to retire as a lifelong Buffalo Bill." The 35-year-old Williams continued to play at a high level this season and was named as a first alternate for the Pro Bowl. He had 31 tackles, including five for loss, 5.0 sacks and 14 quarterback hits. Williams earned Pro Bowl honors five times in a seven-season span from 2010-16. He started at least 14 games in 10 of his 13 seasons and set career highs with 10.5 sacks and 68 tackes in 2013. The 6-foot-1, 303-pound Williams appeared in 182 games, starting 177, since he was selected in the fifth round of the 2006 NFL Draft out of LSU. He notched 607 tackles and 48.5 sacks.