Jamaal Williams Uses Skating To Cope With Stress, Talks Importance Of Mental Health

SALT LAKE CITY – Former BYU Cougars and current Detroit Lions running back Jamaal Williams discussed his love for roller skating as a stress reliever and the importance of mental health.

Williams, who owns BYU’s career and single-game rushing records, recently discussed mental health and his positive attitude during a conversation with Kay Adams of FanDuelTV’s Up & Adams.

Despite his happy-go-lucky vibe, silly dances, and fun interactions with fans, Williams acknowledge the stress in his life and how he deals with it.

The former Cougar standout talked about taking trips to Classic Skating in Orem during his time in college. The running back highlighted rolling staking and golfing as some of his hobbies to relieve stress. Williams said that he continues to roller stake a few times every week during the offseason.

“At BYU I used to go to Classic Skating. I kept myself occupied by going skating every weekend, and I was good, honestly. I would go on the weekends, but now I go, when I’m back home in the offseason, I go like three times a week,” Williams said.

“I just put my headphones in…I feel like it’s just another way of soothing, relaxing, it’s a peaceful vibe,” the NFL standout added. “I just like to do things that just calm me because I already got a lot of stress in my life already. I got a lot of things that’s already on my mind, that I deal with on a daily basis. So you know, you always got to find things to help your mental health, I just want to make sure that I’m just making myself proud and not to have that regret that I’m not doing everything I can to be the best me.”

Jamaal Williams opens up about how he uses roller skating to help with his stress, and how important it is for him to take care of his mental health.

📺: @FanDuelTV | @heykayadams | @jswaggdaddy pic.twitter.com/rtG4yebtqU

— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) October 27, 2022

“In an exclusive club of NFL players who are universally beloved & easy to root for – @jswaggdaddy is the president,” Adams said of her conversation with Williams.

In another tweet, Adams called her interview with Williams the “favorite moment of my week.”

See the video above to watch Williams’ entire conversation with Adams.

About Jamaal Williams

Before his time in the NFL, Williams was a star at BYU. He finished his time in Provo as the Cougars’ all-time leading rusher in both career and single-yard yards.

During his time at BYU (2012-14, 2016), Williams ran the ball 726 times for 3,901 yards and 35 touchdowns. He also had 60 receptions for 567 yards and a touchdown. Williams only lost two fumbles during his college career.

Following his time at BYU, the Southern California native was selected by the Green Bay Packers during the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft. He played the first four seasons of his professional career with the Packers before signing with Lions in 2021.

Williams is currently in his six NFL season and second with the Lions.

This season, the running back has posted 92 rushes for 411 yards and six touchdowns in six games.

MEANpic.twitter.com/74Ip6nwL4q

— Kyle Ireland (@kyleireland) October 2, 2022

During his NFL career, Williams has carried the ball 745 times for 2,997 yards, and 19 touchdowns. He’s also recorded 154 catches for 1,152 yards and eight touchdowns.

Williams and the Lions currently own a 1-5 record. Detroit’s next game is at home against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, October 30 at 11 a.m. (MDT) on CBS.

Kyle Ireland is a Locals in the NFL Insider for KSLSports.com and co-host of the Yards After College Podcast. Follow him on Twitter (@kyleireland) and Instagram (@kyleirelandksl).

Follow @kyleireland