Lorenzo "Zo" Williams, of MU football and NFL fame, recently visited Cox South for the dedication of a mural in his honor on the pediatric floor. The mural, which features Williams on the golf course along with his daughters and a few teammates, recognizes Williams for his charitable efforts via the annual "Lorenzo Williams & Friends Charity Weekend." The event benefits Children's Miracle Network.
As the mural was unveiled, Williams admired the detail in the painting - "I look kinda skinny, which is awesome" - before reminding the crowd that he prefers to keep the focus on the kids.
"I don't like to take credit for things that you're just supposed to do," he says. "You're supposed to help people out, that's what God put us here for."
Williams was a three-year defensive starter for the Missouri Tigers from 2003-2007. Following his college career, he spent time in the NFL with the Baltimore Ravens and the Carolina Panthers.
In July 2010, Williams led the inaugural "Lorenzo Williams Celebrity Pro-Am" golf tournament at the Millwood Golf & Racquet Club - an event that raised almost $25,000 for CMN. The tournament featured several MU football alumni, including Jeremy Maclin (Philadelphia Eagles), Sean Weatherspoon (Atlanta Falcons), Danario Alexander (St. Louis Rams) and Martin Rucker (Dallas Cowboys).
Williams originally became involved with CMN after the birth of his twin daughters.
"CMN has a special place in my heart. My daughters were born two months premature and they spent time here in the NICU at Cox South," he says. "I saw a chance to give back to CMN and we had a great time doing it."
The first year was so successful, Williams and his fellow players are planning to make the tournament a regular event. The 2011 "Lorenzo Williams Celebrity Pro-Am" will be held on Fri., July 8, with a benefit youth football camp slated for Sat., July 9.
"We love to come down to Springfield; it's like a family reunion for us getting together and talking about old times," Williams says. "And we get to help kids out with the football camp and with the golf tournament."
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