James Smith-Williams Responds to Washington Football Controversy

Former NC State football star James Smith-Williams, a recent NFL draft pick and a vocal advocate for the victims of sexual and domestic violence, has issued a powerful statement in support of the women whose allegations have embroiled his new team in controversy

Former NC State football star James Smith-Williams is a member of Washington's soon-to-be-renamed NFL franchise. He's also the league's first ambassador for #SetTheExpectation, a movement that advocates for survivors of sexual and domestic violence.

It's a combination that has made his voice a relevant one amid the latest controversy to hit the troubled team.

On Thursday, the Washington Post published a story detailing a toxic culture toward the team's female employees by numerous members of the organization. The allegations described by the 15 women that contributed to the report range from lewd sexual comments to inappropriate touching to threats of retaliation if the conduct was reported.

In response to the troubling situation, Smith-Williams has issued the following statement on Friday:

"As I read the Washington post story last night I was overwhelmed with many emotions. The main one being my support and allegiance to the women who spoke out in the article. Today, after thinking over those feelings I felt the need to speak up. I couldn't be silent on one of the issues I hold close to my heart. 

"I have worked in sexual assault awareness and preventon with (founder) Brenda Tracy and Set the Expectation since my junior year in college. I believe that being silent on things you know to be wrong is almost as bad as commiting the act yourself.

"I believe that with every ounce of my being that ending sexual assault/interpersonal violence is not the responsibility of the victims and survivors, but of every individual around them. We must begin with the people in power, as we aim to protect our communities and our industry.

"There are too many good men in sports to allow those who commit these acts to continue to do so. I am proud of Coach (Ron) Rivera's response to change the culture and climate of our team. Moving forward I hope to see organizations around the league empowering women to speak on their experiences and for their thoughts to be truly listened to.

"If women's could have ended these types of acts against them, it would have already been done. It falls on those good men to seak up and help out wherever and however they can. There is much work to be done in every walk of life, but expecially in our industry, and it isn't just one man's responsibility, but all of ours."

Set the Awareness is a nonprofit organization started by Tracy after she was attacked by four football players at Oregon State in 2014. It is dedicated to raise awareness, especially among young male athletes, toward the battle against sexual and physical violence against women. 

“Her message is extremely moving,” Smith-Williams said last year. “She gave us an actual challenge and I wanted to help out any way that I could.”  

The 6-foot-3, 265-pound defensive end, whose final season with the Wolfpack was limited to just seven games because of injury, has become a vocal advocate for Set the Expectation.

He was named the NFL's first ambassador to the movement after being selected by Washington in the seventh round of this spring's NFL draft.

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