For Kyren Williams, the path to becoming a centerpiece of the Los Angeles Rams’ deep playoff run hasn’t been loud or flashy. Instead, it’s been steady and consistent — much like the running back himself.
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That consistency has shown up in the numbers. After being named a starter in 2023 — a year in which he was selected to the Pro Bowl — he has rushed for more than 1,100 yards and 10 touchdowns each of the past three seasons. He finished the 2025 regular season with a career-high 1,533 yards from scrimmage, including 1,252 rushing yards that ranked sixth in the NFL.
He’s scored three total touchdowns across two playoff games, helping the Rams reach Sunday’s NFC Championship Game against the top-seeded Seattle Seahawks. A win would bring the Rams back to the Super Bowl for the first time since 2021-22.
Williams finished the 2024 season with a career-high 1,299 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns, and the Rams rewarded him with a three-year contract extension. But the numbers and new contract only tell part of the story. He was voted by his teammates to be a captain this season, which was particularly meaningful to him after not being selected as one last year.
“[Being named a captain] made more of an impact on my heart than probably the contract because to me that is the direct representation of who I am as a person every single day in the eyes of my teammates,” Williams told the Rams’ team website in September.
Kyren Williams joined HOF Eric Dickerson, HOF Marshall Faulk and Steven Jackson as the only Rams players with 1,000+ rush yards in 3+ consecutive seasons 🔥@RamsNFL | #RamsHouse pic.twitter.com/80rvBnkYwv
— NFL+ (@NFLPlus) December 15, 2025
Led by his faith in God, he prioritizes hard work on and off the field, which doesn’t go unnoticed by his teammates and coaches.
“I think he’s been consistent,” Rams head coach Sean McVay said during a team press conference in September. “I think that’s a good thing, and I think he’s earned that respect. When you’re leading — and we’ve got so many capable leaders on our team — the first thing is it resonates if it’s authentic. And then, do you model the way?
“I think seen is better than said. He’s got this authentic energy that’s always been consistent with who he is. It uplifts everybody. He’s got a mental and a physical toughness that he plays with. He epitomizes what we’re looking for in Rams.”
Williams’ new contract has also brought him a sense of peace and purpose off the field. The financial security has given him the ability to care for his family in tangible ways, such as taking care of his parents, helping his sisters with monthly bills, and setting up college savings plans for his nieces and nephews.
“I just want to be able to continue to play football at a very high clip, continue to keep showing the world who I am and what I can do, and take care of my family,” Williams said in September. “And give the most praise to the Lord that I can and follow His mission every single day.”
Dating back to his time in college at Notre Dame, being active in the community has been a priority for Williams. Now in Los Angeles, that commitment has only grown. Following the widespread wildfires in January 2025, Williams visited LAFD Air Operations to honor first responders and partnered with the Rams and Seahawks to distribute new Nike shoes to youth who lost their homes in the Eaton Fire. He also visited youth from the Palisades at their local recreation center, helping lead their first football activity since the fires.
Throughout the 2025 season, Williams has spent time each week on his off day in the community — participating in literacy sessions at schools, military recognition events, holiday distributions, STEAM education initiatives and more. When he learned Big Brothers Big Sisters needed more male mentors of color, Williams stepped in personally, becoming a “Big Brother” himself. He also returned as a host for Rams Night for Wishes to support the Make-A-Wish Foundation and participated in a youth football clinic during team OTAs in Maui.
For his efforts, he was selected in both 2024 and 2025 as the Rams’ nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year — the league’s most prestigious honor that recognizes players for excellence and a commitment to making a positive impact on and off the field.
“I play football because that’s what the Lord has blessed me to do, and that’s what I’m going to continue to do,” he said after being told he was the team’s nominee. “But my message and my purpose is bigger than just football. It’s being able to impact and inspire and be around young kids and families. To be able to motivate and show them that it’s all possible.”
That comes with a monetary reward, and Williams donated his entire 2024 Man of the Year nomination money to the LAFD Foundation.
Its been a great 3rd season for @RamsNFL RB @Kyrenwilliams23. The nominee for the @NFL Walter Payton Man Of The Year is donating $25K to the @LAFDFoundation to help with needed equipment and resources. @jaimemaggio chats with the RB tonight at 5:45 and 10:45 on @SportsCentralLA pic.twitter.com/b0OKt5Ad35
— Sports Central LA (@SportsCentralLA) January 16, 2025
“Being able to make a positive impact on the youth across Los Angeles and seeing the smiles on people’s faces means everything to me,” Williams told the team website. “This award is special because my commitment to the community is never about recognition but about being the inspiration to show young people they can dream big and achieve their goals.
“The opportunities I’ve been given through being a professional football player allow me to perform on the field but have also given me the platform to pursue what I am most passionate about — giving back to the community. It’s an honor to be the Rams’ club winner for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award alongside players around the league dedicated to their communities.”
His faith foundation was laid long ago, and it was a big reason he wanted to play at Notre Dame, telling The Athletic in 2018, “I’m real close with God and I believe in God heavily.”
He also professes it publicly on social media, with his Instagram bio referencing Proverbs 3:5, saying, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart.”
View this post on Instagram
In 2018, his mother, Taryn Williams, spoke about the balance her son carried between hard work and trust in God’s plan.
“We’re a faith-based family and believe that God has a plan prepared for him,” she told Irish Sports Daily. “He’s just putting in the work to execute it.”
The Rams and Seahawks kick off at 6:30 p.m. ET in Seattle on Fox, with the winner clinching a spot in Super Bowl LX.
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