When Jay Williams heard the news Ravens cornerback Tray Walker had died from injuries suffered in an accident while riding a dirt bike, it brought back memories of Williams’ own motorcycle accident that cost him his promising basketball career and nearly his life.
“When I heard the news, I felt extremely sad for a young man that had his whole life in front of him and he’s not going to get a chance to see his family grow up or accomplish the things he wanted to on the field or be a great role model,” Williams told The Post by telephone Saturday morning. “I don’t know him, but you think about all the dreams and aspirations we all have at that age.
“And I’m extremely sad for his family because I know what my family went through. It’s about those family moments that he’ll never get back that I’ve been fortunate to have for the last 10-plus years because I survived.”
Walker, 23, died Friday from injuries suffered a day earlier when the Honda dirt bike he was riding collided with a Ford Escape about 7:50 p.m. in Liberty City, Fla. Walker, according to police, was not wearing a helmet and didn’t have his headlights on.
Williams was fortunate to survive the multiple injuries he suffered in June 2003 when he crashed into a pole while riding a powerful Yamaha R6 motorcycle.
Williams, 21 at the time, had just completed his rookie season with the Bulls as the second-overall pick in the draft after an All-American career at Duke.
Williams, who also was not wearing a helmet, detailed the events of the accident in his recently published memoir, “Life Is Not An Accident,” published by Harper Collins. He also details his extensive injuries that included a dislocated knee, a dislocated pelvis, a hamstring ripped off the bone and a severed peroneal nerve in his leg. He also discusses a dependency on painkillers and the excruciating rehab and mental highs and lows of losing his NBA career after just one season. All those memories came flooding back when he heard about Walker.
“For a guy like that who just got drafted the year prior, the coach loved him, the team loved him, it’s one of those scenarios where you ask yourself why? I ask myself why all the time,” Williams said. “The answer is easy, because when you’re 21, 22, 23, you live your life with the thought that you’re going to live for a long time. You don’t really think about the repercussions of your actions. You just kind of live in the moment.”
Writing a memoir at age 31 is uncommon, but Williams’ words are timely for not only athletes, but anyone who endures a life-changing event.
“I appreciate the position I’m in right now to have a voice and speak out on issues like this,” said Williams, who now works as a college basketball analyst for ESPN.
“It’s just not motorcycle safety, but helping people in general deal with their demons if you’re lucky enough to still be here after going through something horrific in your life. I had a motorcycle accident that altered the path of my life and had a lot taken away from me. But I’ve gained so much more through reflection and time spent battling through those adversities.”