When the Cincinnati Bengals signed veteran safety Roy Williams this offseason fans knew instantly the impact player the team was adding on defense. But what Bengal fans might be intrigued to learn is the high standard that the player holds himself to both on and off the field.

While many of the league’s players are off vacationing and resting up before training camp opens, Williams is in Cincinnati hard at work training with Clif Marshall, performance director of Ignition Athletics Performance Group in Mason, Ohio.

It was at Ignition where I had the opportunity to sit down and chat with Williams about the things that are important to him. One of the first things I learned was his commitment to playing at a high level for the Bengals.

“I had all the vacation I needed sitting out from football last season,” Williams said. “I felt that it was more important for me to get back in shape and get where I need to be. Our strength coach, Chip Morton, told me about Clif’s energy and that’s why I’m here. It’s a good fit for me and I hope to make the most of it.”

Williams missed 13 games last season due to a broken forearm. Before that, he was a five time Pro Bowl selection (2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007). The individual accolades seem to mean very little to Williams at this point in his career. He’s more focused on the here and now.

“I am very blessed to have some Pro Bowls under my belt, but I don’t get caught up in the hoopla of being a Pro Bowl safety,” he said. “It was an honor and I appreciate it, but that’s the past. I can’t worry about what happened then. I have to be able to produce on Sundays for the Bengals when they need me to perform."

Williams played for Mike Zimmer, now the Bengals' defensive coordinator, when the two were together in Dallas.

“I don’t want people thinking that just because I played under coach Zimmer in Dallas that I’m his boy. If he tells me to shut up I have to listen. I’m working and fighting for this job. There’s nothing given to me and I am one of the guys trying to make the team. I just want to contribute. I’m no better than anyone else on this team. I’m not coming in here thinking that I’m hot stuff and about to run things. I can be on the backseat and end up third-string.”

Williams will be competing against the likes of Chris Crocker, Chinedum Ndukwe, Marvin White, Kyries Hebert and Corey Lynch during training camp.

“You always have to come into situations humbled and understand your role,” Williams said. “You’re in here competing for a job to make the team better. If you’re not making the team better you have to take a backseat or you’re going to be out of here. I just want to be able to help and play to the level I was playing under Zim.”

Williams had some of the best years of his seven-year career under Zimmer.

If minicamp was any indication of the role Williams will play in the Bengals defense this season, opposing offenses had better beware.

It was on one play during run drills where a small hole opened up along the line and Williams zoomed past linebacker Dhani Jones to make the play. Jones looked at the safety in amazement as if to say where the heck did you come from? Williams, of course, was just doing what he was brought in to do, make plays.

Williams is a player that leads by example and other players feed off his energy.

This little light of mine

We often see athletes praying before games or pointing to the heavens after making a fantastic play. What does it all mean and is it sincere?

Outwardly expressing one’s Christian beliefs is deemed taboo in everyday life, but Williams has no qualms sharing his faith. I first became acquainted with Williams at Paul Brown Stadium where we crossed paths in the tunnel after minicamp. He was wearing a t-shirt that read “I love my church.”

In fact, you can also find him on Twitter delivering the inspirational word of God.

“I don’t shy away from my Christianity,” Williams said. “When people give me a compliment I say glory to God. Without him I wouldn’t be recognized for my talent if God wasn’t inside me. It is obvious, glory to God first for me.”

Williams doesn’t proclaim to be some modern day saint, but tries to live his life staying true to the word.

“You’re either on the winning team which is God or the losing team which is the Devil,” he said. “I’ve been on the losing team before and once I switched over to the winning team life became a little easier, but at the same time became a little harder. Once you make that push to do right, Satan gets mad.

“In 2004, when I rededicated myself to Christ, that’s when I caught the most persecution. That’s when the media started talking and fans started saying, ‘Roy got soft because he gave his life to Christ’. It’s not that I got soft. I’m not going to let words hurt me or deter me from doing what I love to do and that is love God and play football.”

Before the change in Williams’ life he recalled a time when he used to carry $10,000 in his pocket. He was flashy, wearing expensive jewelry and flew all over the country to be a part of what he called the ‘in crowd.’ Williams said he had to attend all the big parties and award ceremonies but never drank or smoked. It was just all about having a good old time.

It wasn’t until Williams walked back into his church in Dallas, Texas that he had a humbling experience.

“I felt the love,” he said. “They had men’s fellowship on Friday and it was all of us coming together getting the word, laughing and joking around. It was something to do rather than going out on Friday nights. That was awesome for me and just being a part of something positive was the best for me. I had a great transformation and am happy where I am.”

Last stop

Williams was drafted by Dallas with the eighth overall pick in the 2002 draft and released by the team this offseason upon his request. A number of teams showed interest in the former Pro Bowler, but none more so than the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles where looking to replace longtime safety Brian Dawkins who bolted to Denver during free agency.

Williams passed on more lucrative offers from other teams and signed with Cincinnati.

“I really wasn’t moved by any team until coach Zim called me,” Williams said. “It wasn’t about riches. I feel this defense has a lot of upside. To do the things they did under coach Zim last year it’s only going to get better. I’m really looking forward to this season. I’m very excited to step in and be a part of what’s going to happen here.”

When asked if he wanted to finish his career in Cincinnati, Williams didn’t mix words.

“I do,” he said. “It just depends on how well the season goes. I would love to be back here. In fact, I’m going to claim it. It’s going to happen. I don’t want to be anywhere else. I’m very comfortable here and I feel the people are great. I’m here for a reason, to play football.”