Kevin Williams isn’t a professional athlete, but professional athletes are seeking him out.
Williams, a Redlands native and Redlands East Valley graduate working to become an athletic trainer, has been working hard over the summer, currently nearing the end of his internship with the San Francisco 49ers for their slate of training camp and preseason games.
“I’ve always been involved in sports. I just love being around sports and the environment,” said Williams over the phone. “I wasn’t good enough to play in college but I still wanted to be around it.”
After his internship ends, Williams will start his second year in his master’s program at San Jose State. He also works as a graduate assistant at the Academy of Art University, working with all sports but primarily with men’s soccer and softball.
It’s at the Academy of Art where Williams got his opportunity with the 49ers. The university’s head athletic trainer Karmont Mak is still very close with the training staff after his internships with the 49ers.
“I am extremely proud of both Jess and Kevin on earning the summer internships with the 49ers,” Mak said in an article by the Academy of Art on Williams. “The opportunity to work at the highest level of athletics will allow them to gain valuable experience and help them continue to develop as athletic trainers.”
But working at the NFL level takes a lot of hard work.
Williams works an average of 80 to 83 hours a week, arriving for work at 6:30 a.m. for the first session of treatments and rehab for two hours. During player meetings, Williams and his fellow interns have tasks that range from restocking to maintenance in the training room. There is another treatment session during the team’s lunch before a two-hour practice session where a lot of taping is done beforehand, then treatment after practice.
Each intern (there are seven all together) is assigned his own unit during practice. Williams is working with the 49ers tight ends, making sure they stay hydrated and treat any injuries that might occur.
“What a great opportunity to be a part of the pro level of athletic training,” said Williams’ mother Wendy. “I think the NFL is the apex of sports in the U.S. It will have the best equipment and staff to learn from.”
“The 49ers have everything you would ever need or want,” said Williams. “I think the best thing about it is the size compared to what I’m used to. The treatment area is large enough to house everything.”
Wendy says the family plans to visit Williams for the 49ers final preseason game in early September to cheer him on.