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Bennett Williams was one of the cornerstones of the Illinois Football team’s future.
Now he’s kicked off the team.
Illinois’ sophomore safety was kicked off the team for a violation of team rules, per WCIA’s Bret Behrens and a school spokesperson on Wednesday night.
He returned to the field during Illinois’ loss to Penn State, but left after suffering an injury. He did not appear in the Illini’s win over Rutgers last Saturday.
Last season he was named to ESPN.com’s Freshman All-American team after playing 11 games and having 64 tackles and a team-high three interceptions.
Williams released a statement on Twitter on Thursday morning.
Not All Storms Come To Disrupt Your Life, Some Come To Clear Your Path.
— Bennett Williams 4️⃣ (@bennettw04) October 11, 2018
Thank You Illinois. pic.twitter.com/ZTQvGTEbGS
Support also began rolling in from his old teammates.
Best of luck to you brudda. Go ball out !! https://t.co/C3pUlClIUP
— Coran A. Taylor ひ (@coran_taylor) October 11, 2018