FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — One of the seminal moments of Leonard Williams’s life occurred when he was 13.
It was the day he had been waiting for — sign-ups for youth football. He lingered in a long line until it was his turn to weigh in. He stepped on the scale. It read 200 pounds — 20 over the maximum. He was barred from participating. He left the field, crying.
“I felt it kind of pushed me even harder to be the best that I could be when I could finally play,” Williams said.
When he could finally play, Williams dominated on the defensive line.