SUMMER JOBS: Arizona State WR Williams is aspiring surgeon
Sun Devil receiver turned an injury into a possible career in medicine
Kyle Williams was banged up during his freshman season at Arizona State, a shoulder injury that was not particularly serious. In fact, it turned out to be fortuitous.
The Sun Devils wide receiver was worked on by Dr. Anikar Chhabra, the team physician and director of sports medicine at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona. Already interested in a career in medicine, Williams shared his curiosity with Chhabra.
“You could tell his mind was special in that he asked the right questions,” Chhabra said. Williams has spent the past two summers shadowing Chhabra at Mayo Clinic and working as a research intern. One of the better slot receivers in college football, the 19-year-old Williams has NFL hopes and very clear long-term goals in medicine.
Summers are hardly a break for most college athletes, especially football players. Almost all take classes to lighten their loads in season. While teams can’t hold coach-led practices, players routinely organize their own activities. Plus, they need to hit the weight room. Even with recent NCAA rules that mandated more time off from required team events, there is not much downtime.
Still, many college football players work summer jobs and internships or do volunteer work. Penn State linebacker Koa Farmer has ridden along with law enforcement organizations in Washington in hopes of a future in forensic sciences. A couple of Minnesota defensive linemen worked at the zoo. Kansas State tackle Dalton Risner runs a blog that has spawned a foundation, and speaks to young people about faith and fac-