Former First-Round Picks Running backs James and Williams
meet on the field for the first time
Aug. 7, 2000
A pair of first-round picks from the 1999 NFL Draft will face each other for the first time in a preseason game between the Indianapolis Colts and the New Orleans Saints this Saturday, Aug. 12, at Purdue's Ross-Ade Stadium.
Heading into the 1999 NFL Draft, running backs Edgerrin James and Ricky Williams drew a lot of attention from NFL scouts. James finished his career at the University of Miami ranking second on the school's all-time rushing list with 2,960 yards in just 17 games for the Hurricanes. Williams enjoyed one of the most prolific careers in college football history, winning the Heisman Trophy in 1998, and resetting 44 school records and 20 NCAA records. Williams received 43% of 923 first-place votes, the highest percentage in the history of the award. He finished his college career at the University of Texas as the NCAA's all-time leading rusher as well as owner of 19 other NCAA records, including all-purpose yards (7,206), highest average per carry (6.2) and rushing touchdowns (72).
While there was much speculation leading up to the draft on who would be taken first, there was little doubt the careers of these two players would be closely followed long into the future.
On April 17, 1999, the fate of the two running backs was decided. With the fourth overall pick in the 1999 NFL Draft, the Indianapolis Colts selected James. The Saints, with the following pick, selected Williams.
James made an immediate impact for the Colts, recording one of the most impressive rookie seasons for an NFL running back in league history. He helped Indianapolis to an AFC East title and a 13-3 mark, tying a franchise record for wins in a season. He finished his rookie season as the league's top rusher, amassing 1,553 yards on 369 carries and he scored 13 touchdowns. James also proved to be a threat as a receiver, catching 62 passes for 586 yards and four touchdowns. James received several postseason honors, most notably the league's offensive Most Valuable Player award and a start in the Pro Bowl.
Despite battling nagging injuries as a rookie for the Saints, Williams gave Saints fans something to cheer about. Williams finished the 1999 season with 884 rushing yards on 253 carries and two touchdowns. His 179 yards against Cleveland in Week 7 was the third-highest single-game total in franchise history, ninth-highest in the league in 1999.
Tickets, priced at $20 for end zone seats to $55 for seats on the 50-yard line, are available from the Purdue Athletic Ticket Office in the Intercollegiate Athletic Facility and Ticketmaster. To reach the Purdue ticket office, call (765) 494-3194 or (800) 497-7678. For Ticketmaster, call (765) 743-5151 in Lafayette or (317) 239-5151 in Indianapolis. Tickets also can be purchased the day of the game at the Athletic Ticket Office. The office will open at 2 p.m. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.