Georgia football: The former Bulldogs of the original XFL
Troy Stark – offensive guard – New York/New Jersey Hitmen
We start this list on a somber note as Troy Stark passed away shortly after the XFL season ended. Stark played in some early season games for the Hitmen in February but injured his knee. He underwent surgery but probably went back to the field before he was ready. Doctors told him that he needed additional surgery and we went back to the hospital in May.
During physical therapy, doctors think it was likely that he jarred a blood clot lose and it traveled to his lungs. He was found deceased at his home in Peachtree City in June of 2001.
The Hitmen claimed Stark November 20, 2000 after he sat out the previous three football seasons. The Green Bay Packers signed him as an undrafted free agent in 1996 and was then traded to the Jets who waived him in 1997.
As a Georgia Bulldog
Stark was a great offensive lineman for the Bulldogs. He lettered all four years at Georgia and set the school record for starts as an offensive tackle with 38. He earned All-SEC honors as a junior and senior in 1994 and 1995. Stark was also a two-time SEC All-Academic selection.
Bernard Williams – offensive tackle – Memphis Maniax
From somber to disappointing we go to Bernard Williams. Of all the Bulldogs on this list, he is the one who should have enjoyed a long career in the NFL. The Philadelphia Eagles drafted Williams with their 14th overall pick in 1994 and he went on to start in every game that season.
After the 1994 season, Williams failed 15 drug tests and the NFL banned him from ever playing again. His professional football career was far from over however. Williams spent the 2000 football season with the CFL’s British Columbia Lions. He appeared in five games and occasionally lined up as a tight end. He even caught one pass for 20 yards.
XFL career
Williams returned to the US in 2001 to play in the XFL. In the XFL, he once again had the distinction of being a high draft pick. The Memphis Maniax selected him in the second round with their 11th overall pick. He went on to appear in every game that season as a left tackle.
Post XFL
Of course the XFL went out of business after the 2001 season and every team was disbanded, but Williams didn’t go without a job for long. He immediately went to the Arena Football League’s Detroit Fury and appeared in their final six games.
Arena League players play both ways (except quarterbacks) so Williams also played on the defensive line where he recorded four tackles and an interception. He once again got to receive some passes in the AFL and he caught a 15-yard touchdown in the Fury’s first-round playoff loss to Arizona.
He spent one more year in the AFL before returning to the CFL. The Toronto Argonauts signed him as a free agent in 2003. He started 15 games, including two playoff games that season. The Football Reporters of Canada Toronto Chapter selected him as the teams most outstanding lineman.
He returned in 2004 and started 15 games in the regular season. Williams then started every game in the playoffs and helped Toronto defeat the BC Lions to win the 2004 Grey Cup Championship. He spent another two years in the CFL before retiring in 2006.
As a Georgia Bulldog
Williams came to Georgia in 1990 as a defensive tackle but head coach Ray Goff moved him to offensive tackle as a sophomore. He started 32 games in his Bulldog career. Early on, Williams had a knack for blocking kicks. He blocked three as a freshman in 1990 and a fourth kick as a sophomore. He was an All-American as a senior in 1993.