FAYETTEVILLE — Rawleigh Williams' decision to walk away from football was received with an outpouring of social-media support from current and former teammates, coaches and admirers from across the college football world.
Here is a sampling of the reaction to Williams' open letter announcing his decision released Monday afternoon. There were actually too many responses for our server to handle all of the embedded tweets.
Coaches and current teammates
Coach Bret Bielema:
Coaches are always given credit for teaching and guiding young men in life. I have and we all can learn from this young man. #WoooPig https://t.co/43Lp9vkXVf
— Bret Bielema (@BretBielema) May 8, 2017
Offensive coordinator Dan Enos:
One of the most amazing people I have ever been around! Smart-Classy-Tough-Character! The epitome of AndThenSome! Love ya#22! https://t.co/Yu68iInNi2
— Dan Enos (@DanEnosUA) May 8, 2017
Running backs coach Reggie Mitchell:
@The3rdRawleigh Rawleigh, it has been one of the best years of my coaching career to coach a young man of your character.
— Reggie Mitchell (@coachregmitch) May 8, 2017
Receivers coach Michael Smith:
@The3rdRawleigh Bro, simply put, you are a Warrior!! So blessed to be around you and your family!!!
— Coach Michael Smith (@CoachMichaelSmi) May 8, 2017
Center Frank Ragnow:
Love this kid, happy to call him a friend and can't wait to see what he dominates next https://t.co/oI1cLGsxfD
— Frank Ragnow (@KNARFWONGAR) May 8, 2017
Receiver Jared Cornelius:
@The3rdRawleigh Love you man! It's gonna suck not having you out on the field but we all know you're gonna find success off the field.
— Jared Cornelius (@officialjred) May 8, 2017
Running back Devwah Whaley:
It hurts to know that I can't play by your side anymore, but thank you for taking me under your wing, and being a great leader Love you bro. https://t.co/7UH6sHBOIZ
— Devwah Whaley (@devwah_whaley) May 8, 2017
Linebacker Dre Greenlaw:
I love you bro✊🏾 @The3rdRawleigh don't lose faith God got bigger plans
— Dre Greenlaw (@DreGreenlaw) May 8, 2017
Cornerback Kevin Richardson:
@The3rdRawleigh Love you bro! You know I'm always here for ya no matter what, keep God first and anything can happen! ✊🏾
— Kevin Richardson II (@K_Rich30) May 8, 2017
Offensive tackle Colton Jackson:
i love you bro , gods gonna make sure you are straight in whatever you do because you put him first✊🏽 https://t.co/u0yca5xMva
— SNUPE (@TheRealSnupe_) May 8, 2017
Defensive end Sosa Agim:
Anybody can shake back from this it's you big brah. Peace and blessings apon you 🙏🏿. https://t.co/GTaxtBK8Zq
— McTelvin Agim (@So_Splash) May 8, 2017
Linebacker Scoota Harris:
Nothing but love bro! We always here you no matter what. Live your dream through us now. #Brotherhood❤️ https://t.co/DBbN2qNMPi
— De'Jon Harris (@Scoooota8) May 8, 2017
Offensive guard Johnny Gibson:
@The3rdRawleigh Love you bro!💯 I know you are going to be successful in your next chapter!
— Johnny Gibson (@jlee5614) May 8, 2017
Tight end Cheyenne O'Grady:
@The3rdRawleigh Man I'm speechless, not gonna be the same without you... Wishing you the best of luck for whatever you decide to pursue in!!! Love you bro✊🏽
— Cheyenne O'Grady (@OhMyGrady85) May 8, 2017
Nose guard Bijhon Jackson:
@The3rdRawleigh nothing but love my brother #WooPig
— Bijhon Jackson (@BijhonJ) May 8, 2017
Linebacker Dwayne Eugene:
@The3rdRawleigh much love for you brother. One of the most humble athletes I've been around. God has a plan for you, just keep the faith 🙏🏽
— Dwayne Eugene Jr. (@D_Eugene35) May 8, 2017
Receiver Kofi Boateng:
@The3rdRawleigh Love you big dog. It's only up from here!
— Kofi Boateng (@BGKofiboateng) May 8, 2017
Cornerback Korey Hernandez:
@The3rdRawleigh Been someone I've looked up to since you and TJ hosted me on my visit! I'm still speechless but better days are ahead for you! Stay up bro‼️
— Bo$$‼️ (@Solid_One5) May 8, 2017
Cornerback Byron Keaton:
Love of you bro ✊🏽✊🏽 https://t.co/fz2u0UPdhY
— Byron Keaton (@BK12THEBEST) May 8, 2017
Receiver Luke Rossi:
@The3rdRawleigh Love you brotha.
— Luke Rossi (@lukerossi13) May 8, 2017
Offensive lineman Tyler Hall:
@The3rdRawleigh So grateful for the opportunity to play with you and witness your leadership first hand! You have great things ahead for you! Love you 22!💯
— Tyler Hall (@tylerhall2016) May 9, 2017
Former teammates and Razorbacks
Darren McFadden:
@The3rdRawleigh Good luck to you on the next chapter. I know you will be a success in whatever you do. #RW3NextChapter
— Darren McFadden (@dmcfadden20) May 9, 2017
Jarius Wright:
@The3rdRawleigh so much respect for you 👏🏾✊🏾
— Jay Wright (@Jay_wright4) May 9, 2017
Hunter Henry:
You're a beast! Thankful to have called you a teammate! Here for you always! Love you brother https://t.co/AJMrVlAOmh
— Hunter Henry (@Hunter_Henry84) May 8, 2017
Jeremy Sprinkle:
@The3rdRawleigh Sad to hear, but we all know God has bigger and better plans for you! Love you man ✊🏾
— Jeremy Sprinkle (@sprinkle_memane) May 8, 2017
Jonathan Williams:
Respect ✊🏾 https://t.co/IQCWj2I5ly
— Jonathan Williams (@Jwillpart2) May 8, 2017
Drew Morgan:
To have played beside you and call you a brother is a blessing! Glad i had the privilege to be your teammate 22! https://t.co/rgejerpEDj
— Drew Morgan (@drewmorgan15) May 8, 2017
Kody Walker:
All love for this young man right here! My RBU bro! One of the hardest workers I kno! Great things still ahead for you! #RBU4Life https://t.co/rtQZxXxEPx
— KWalk (@KWalkBeastMode) May 8, 2017
Denver Kirkland:
God bless bro, the man up stairs always working, hold your head bro! 💯 https://t.co/IwDRUvLcgv
— Loading...... (@15HARLEM_BOSKI) May 8, 2017
Chris Gragg:
@The3rdRawleigh you are a strong young man and was a hell of a RB. Your life will continue to be a success with or without football. ✊🏾💯#wps
— Chris Gragg (@Gragg80) May 9, 2017
Another from Gragg:
@The3rdRawleigh as u see with old guys like me. Hog Nation will always have your back. #Hogs4Life
— Chris Gragg (@Gragg80) May 9, 2017
Tevin Mitchell:
@The3rdRawleigh Respect big dawg ✊🏽
— Tevin Mitchel (@TevinMitchel23) May 8, 2017
Robert Thomas:
God bless my G✊🏾 https://t.co/Z1sq1iD2Cf
— Robert Thomas II (@RobThomas98) May 8, 2017
Rohan Gaines:
Just an amazing human being! Speaking past football! Good Luck bro I'm rooting for you regardless! https://t.co/OklduaZXKp
— Rohan Gaines (@HitManGaines_26) May 8, 2017
Cody Hollister:
@The3rdRawleigh Honored to play with you brother. With that jersey on you earned so much respect but it's the man you are that I respect most. God bless you
— Cody Hollister (@C_hollister81) May 8, 2017
College coaches and players
Texas A&M receivers coach Aaron Moorehead:
S/o to @The3rdRawleigh A true competitor. I know you will miss the field but you will be a success at whatever you put your mind to #respect
— Aaron Moorehead (@Amo8685) May 8, 2017
North Carolina state safety coach Aaron Henry:
.@The3rdRawleigh
— Aaron Henry (@AaronHenry7) May 8, 2017
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you"#NothingJustHappens
Minnesota assistant David Parker:
@The3rdRawleigh Love ya bro! Bright future ahead of you! Thinking and you and your family today!
— David Parker (@David_Parker710) May 8, 2017
Toledo strength and conditioning coach Brad Bichey:
It was a pleasure to have coached you & watch you grow in all aspects of your life. You're a great young man, & I know you will succeed!! https://t.co/mtTfkCPbFy
— Brad Bichey (@CoachBichey) May 8, 2017
Alabama linebacker Christian Miller:
Hate to hear this but all the respect for you man. God has a plan! Enjoyed getting to know you at the conference, Keep doing big things! https://t.co/DUbprOEmnq
— Christian Miller (@christianmillr) May 8, 2017
Alabama safety Ronnie Harrison:
Salute! 💯🙏🏿✊🏿 https://t.co/0SarLILpNV
— Ronnie Harrison II (@Rharr_15) May 8, 2017
Former Alabama offensive guard Alphonse Taylor:
I know the feeling bro and it takes a man to make these kind of decisions... it's not the end of the world life goes on.... bless up 🙏🏾 https://t.co/VS6ozWfa8I
— Alphonse Taylor (@SHANKK50) May 8, 2017
Texas linebacker Malik Jefferson:
My man I'm praying for you my brother. God has a plan for you. Mad love ✊🏾 https://t.co/DyadSKznP8
— Malik Jefferson (@Official_MalikJ) May 8, 2017
Texas safety DeShon Elliott:
Rawleigh ! Gods with you at all times ! Next chapter of success is coming. https://t.co/364VeviS5c
— ShonDon (@OfficialShon_4) May 8, 2017
Florida State cornerback Stanford Samuels:
Respect 🙏🏾‼️ https://t.co/X6AKg7JvlW
— Stanford Samuels III (@SSIII_) May 8, 2017
Oklahoma receiver Adrian Miller:
You're in my prayers man, God bless. https://t.co/lrz6xxbaIJ
— AD Miller (@Adtweets_13) May 8, 2017
Notre Dame cornerback Nick Watkins:
The next chapter will be the greatest chapter. God Bless Rawleigh! https://t.co/knV8ZbR6mq
— Arkansas Equipment (@RazorbackEquip) May 8, 2017
Louisiana Tech linebacker Jordan Harris:
One Of The Best Backs I've Ever Played against #Respect https://t.co/s8HXg2bO2L
— Jordan Harris (@Jordan2_iam) May 8, 2017
Utah State quarterback Kent Myers:
My dude, good luck on the next chapter 🙏🏾 https://t.co/BPt9PdSZwN
— Kenton Myers Jr⚾️ (@KMyersballin) May 9, 2017
Utah State offensive lineman Roderick Smith:
I'm proud of this man right here. Always been a great man on and off the field who I call my brother. Love you man https://t.co/K5gF8aJns2
— Roderick Smith II (@RoderickSmithII) May 9, 2017
North Texas defensive tackle Bryce English:
This season for you brother @The3rdRawleigh God has a great plan for you! #DueceDuece https://t.co/2sDGLGjR3d
— Bryce English (@BryceEnglish34) May 9, 2017
Cal cornerback Joshua Drayden:
God got you bro ! Bless up and stay up. 🙏🏾 https://t.co/ni89lzGoy7
— Joshua Drayden (@JOZAY__) May 8, 2017
Notable media
ESPN's Chris Mortenson:
Special words, wisdom and vision by top Arkansas RB, whose playing days are over after spring game scare. Big goals: He wants to be a GM. https://t.co/74LZL8cEeT
— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) May 9, 2017
ESPN's Holly Rowe:
Thinking of you today @The3rdRawleigh I know this must have been tough decision but so happy you will be healthy. https://t.co/ioG6Fp8gXc
— Holly Rowe (@sportsiren) May 8, 2017
SEC Network analyst Marcus Spears:
Sad news @The3rdRawleigh has to hang up the cleats. Hate to see it end like this but his Future is Bright as a young man and @ArkRazorbacks
— Marcus Spears (@mspear96) May 8, 2017
Another from Spears:
We're Lucky to have him as a player and a student #blessings Lil bro your purpose will take you farther than you could have imagined
— Marcus Spears (@mspear96) May 8, 2017
And another from Spears:
Stay around the game it needs #ambassadors like you to help young men in their pursuit of good lives beyond the field!!
— Marcus Spears (@mspear96) May 8, 2017
One final one from Spears:
He always has a plan for our lives no matter what we may think it is he knows!!! #salute Fam one time for @The3rdRawleigh
— Marcus Spears (@mspear96) May 8, 2017
ESPN's Kris Budden:
Bummed to see this. Saw the emotion from his family after the second injury, and I understand his decision. Best of luck in the future! https://t.co/myvJdeDcRW
— Kris Budden (@KrisBudden) May 9, 2017
SEC Network analyst Clint Stoerner:
I admire & respect your decision @The3rdRawleigh ..Hog Nation is proud of you!! Best of luck moving forward #22!! https://t.co/WSff43bj4j
— Clint Stoerner (@ClintStoerner) May 8, 2017