Trick Williams talks Hampton University, HBCU impact

WWE star Trick Williams says his time at Hampton University helped lay the foundation for the success he’s enjoying today. During an appearance on ESPN’s SportsCenter ahead of WWE’s Night of Champions event, Williams reflected on how his experience as a football player at the HBCU prepared him for the demands of professional wrestling.

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“That’s right, man. At Hampton University, you know, you wanted to play, man. You wanted to be one of the guys who’s making a difference on the field, and they threw me onto the field at a very young age in my career. I had to step up. I had to step up to, you know, learn the ropes and how to play and, you know, dig deep and figure out what it meant to really sacrifice to be able to take your game to the next level.

He added, “At Hampton, I learned how to, you know, wake up early, you know what I mean? And what it took to do everything it takes to get on the field, and I use those same characteristics, those same traits every single day as I’m training now.”

Before becoming one of WWE’s fastest-rising stars, Williams, born Matrick Belton, began his collegiate athletic career at Hampton University on a full football scholarship. The former wide receiver spent two seasons with the Pirates, appearing on teams that posted 3-7 and 4-8 records while the program worked toward returning to competitiveness.

Williams later transferred to the University of South Carolina, where he walked on to the Gamecocks football team. He joined a roster that included his two brothers and followed in the footsteps of his father, a South Carolina alumnus. Williams graduated in 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in physical education before beginning a career as a teacher.

Although professional wrestling wasn’t on his radar during his football career, Williams admitted there were signs of the entertainer he would eventually become.

“You know, honestly, I never thought about it one time while I was playing football, not once. But funny enough, at Hampton, you know, I was such a charismatic figure on the field. You know, I never had a shirt on on campus, you know what I mean? I was one of those football players that always was trying to flex, you know, over there by the student center and everything like that.

He added, “And it’s funny enough because my whole life, when I really break it down and look at who I was, man, I was always an athlete who loved to entertain, who loved to, you know, show my charisma and give people a good time. And so I’m blessed to be able to do that now.”

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