Football great returns to SU as parade marshal

Aeneas Williams, a former football star at Southern University and the NFL was the grand marshal of Southern University's annual homecoming parade Saturday, October 6.

The parade featured the Southern University band, cheerleaders and nine high school marching bands. There were more than 75 entries in this year's parade.

Williams earned a bachelor's of science in accounting from Southern University in 1990. After walking on the Southern University football team his senior year, he tied the NCAA Division I-AA record for most interceptions.

Williams began his career in the NFL with the Arizona Cardinals. He played 14 seasons in the NFL and played in eight Pro Bowls before he retired from the St. Louis Rams in 2004. The eight-time Pro Bowler is known as one of the NFL's most dominating defensive backs of his era with 12 defensive touchdowns and 55 career interceptions. He also recovered 23 fumbles and gained 1,075 total defensive return yards and is a four time All-Pro selection.

Currently, Williams is owner and operator of several automotive dealerships throughout Northeast Louisiana and Southern Arkansas.