For UCF free safety Marlon Williams, Friday’s game against Pittsburgh was supposed to be a showdown with his little brother, Nick, a defensive tackle for the Panthers.
Because of a leg injury, though, Nick is out for the season. Despite the injury, Friday still will be a family affair for Williams. That’s because his cousin, Rashaad Duncan, also is a Pitt defensive tackle.
It was a family tie the Williamses didn’t know they had until last year.
Nick Williams went to Pitt for a summer camp in 2003 and met Duncan for the first time. They almost immediately developed a close friendship. Then one night last summer, they started talking about different people they both knew.
“We were surprised we knew the same people; he knew one of my cousins,” Nick said. “I called my mom and asked her [if we were related], and she said, ‘Probably.’ It was a funny situation.”
Since that time, they have become even closer. When Marlon visited his brother in Pittsburgh over the summer, he spent time with Duncan. “I got to chill with him a lot and show him Pittsburgh,” Duncan said. “I just like him; he’s cool.”
After spending time with Duncan, Marlon realized they had another mutual friend, UCF wide receiver Willie Thornton. Duncan and Thornton went to high school at Belle Glade Glades Central. Marlon went to Palm Beach Gardens Dwyer, and Nick to Plantation.
Other than the family ties, Marlon is looking forward to playing against Pitt, which has a large number of players (21) from Florida.
“I played with a lot of them in high school and against a lot of them in high school,” Marlon said. “H.B. [Blades from Plantation], Darrell [Strong from Plantation], Cedric McGee [from Plantation] — we all grew up together in the same neighborhood. I know they’re going to be gunning for me.”
For now, though, the little brother is trying to get into his big brother’s head. “He doesn’t like to talk to me [about this game],” Nick said. “I said we were going to beat him.”
No matter which team wins, all three men know Friday night will be special. And while Marlon said it’s sad his brother won’t be on the field, the thought of playing against him and his cousin next year in Pittsburgh already has crept into his mind.
“Next year,” Marlon said. “is going to be even sweeter.”
