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Willie Andrews: The Ultimate Jekyll and Hyde
I don’t think I have met an athlete with a more split personality than Willie Andrews, former Longview football player - and as of today - a former New England Patriot.
The past five months have not been good for Andrews. Early Monday morning, he was arrested in Mansfield, Mass., on a charge of brandishing of gun at his girlfriend. He has been charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and unlawful possession of a deadly firearm. He is currently in jail being held without bail, pending a hearing on Thursday.
Today, Andrews - a defensive back and special teams player - was released by the Patriots, which he played for the past two years after an All-Big 12 college career at Baylor.
In February, Andrews was charged with possession of marijuana with intention to distribute in Lowell, Mass. This was two days after the Patriots lost Super Bowl XLII to the New York Giants, 17-14, in which the Giants scored with 35 seconds remaining. The Patriots were 35 seconds away from the first 17-0 season in NFL history.
All of that is Andrews’ Mr. Hyde. It doesn’t resemble the Dr. Jekyll-persona he had when I met him in October.
Back then, I covered the Patriots game against the Dallas Cowboys at Texas Stadium in Irving, a surprisingly easy, 48-27 win for the Patriots. Andrews had some fun at the end of the game, eating some popcorn after Cowboys receiver Terrell Owens told the world earlier that week to, “Getcha popcorn ready.”
Interviewing professional athletes can sometimes be difficult (especially Major League Baseball players, but that’s a story for another time. Also, Longview’s Chris Davis has been courteous in every dealing I’ve had with him). From the standpoint of the athletes, there is suspicion that the media will get a quote that will embarrass them or fire up their opponents. From the media standpoint, we’re just trying to do our job and nobody likes to be blown off or treated with disrespect.
Willie Andrews was not difficult at all. When he heard I was from Longview, a big smile came out and it seemed like he was genuinely happy to see me. He answered all my questions - the lack of tickets he got from the Dallas Cowboys and the possibility of an undefeated season were memorable topics.
When my questions were over, he still wanted to talk. He showed me a Boston-area magazine in which the lesser-known Patriot players were featured, including Andrews. He wanted to give me the magazine, but I couldn’t take it because I didn’t want something that he was obviously proud of.
Unfortunately, the actions of the past couple days and back in February do not resemble the person I met at Texas Stadium, who could have been the most polite professional athlete I have ever met. It hasn’t quite sunk in what has happened to him. When I read the stories, I shake my head in disbelief.
It makes me sad too, because the career he worked so long and so hard for is in jeopardy. Unfortunately, NFL teams are wary about giving chances to someone who has had two incidents with law enforcement. Being optimistic, Andrews may have to hope for a team that has given players with checkered pasts another chance, such as the Cowboys or the Oakland Raiders.
For now, say a prayer for Willie Andrews if you have a moment. Hopefully he can get back on the right path soon.
And put away his personal Mr. Hyde for good.
Comments
By Alex
August 16, 2008 11:04 AM | Link to this
Your blog is interesting!
Keep up the good work!
By unknown
July 2, 2008 1:50 PM | Link to this
Willie I hope you can get through this and hold your head up and most of all put God first and ask him to help you get through this
By city native
July 2, 2008 1:47 PM | Link to this
Willie pray that you can put this behind you and move forward. If you have faith in God just hope you can get another chance to prove yourself to the world