Standing at 6'5 and weighing 220lbs, hailing from Zachary, Louisana, Doug Williams is known for breaking many of NFL records and not just statistically but socially. Before even stepping onto a professional football field, Williams was known for his studious nature, perfect passing mechanics, poise, and his insanely strong arm. While attending Grambling State University, Williams led the Tigers to a 36-7 record as a four-starter, winning three South Western Conference Championship, leading the NCAA in several statistical categories, and graduating with a bachelor's degree in education. Despite all of Williams' success, only one NFL scout came to see him prior to Williams deciding to declare himself into the NFL Draft.
In the 1978 NFL Draft, Williams was selected 17th overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Prior to Williams' arrival, the Bucs had won just two games in two seasons since the franchises beginning. Williams led the Bucs to three postseasons in five seasons, however, after a contract dispute, Williams took his talents to the USFL where he played two seasons with the Oklahoma/Arizona Outlaws. In 1986, Doug Williams returned to the NFL with the Washington Redskins where he would make history becoming the first Black quarterback to play in the Super Bowl (XXII), the first Black quarterback to win the Super Bowl, and the only Black quarterback to be named Super Bowl MVP to this day. While Williams did accomplish a lot as an African-American quarterback, he also threw for a record 340 yards in the Super Bowl, became the first player to throw for four touchdowns in a half in a Super Bowl, and the only player to throw for four touchdowns in a quarter in a Super Bowl.
Chefs made their way into celebrity land a while ago. But how many celebrities that weren’t trained as professional cooks are actually whizzes in the kitchen? Here are several that come to mind.
Actress Julia Roberts is confident about her cooking skills. “I’m quite a good cook,” she told E! News. “I’m like a closet home ec teacher…I can really cook anything.” Roberts has said she often cooks fish for herself and her kids. And speaking of her three children, “They think that I’m a good cook,” Roberts told People. “They actually told me that I should open a restaurant.” She also relishes cooking for the holidays, particularly shredded Brussel sprouts. Roberts hasn’t published a cookbook, but we did find recipes attributed to her for peach crisp and banana hemp muffins. Or you can make the same summer salad the actress supposedly eats.
Chrissy Teigen started off as a supermodel. Then her love of cooking filtered into her professional life too. At this point, she’s created recipes for a limited Blue Apron release and also just launched her own home and cooking line at Target named “Cravings,” after the two cookbooks she’s released. Teigen describes cooking as “a time of peace” for herself. So maybe peace out to her tuna melt sandwich or the fried chicken wings that are a favorite of her husband, John Legend.
Lady Gaga, whose real name is Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, comes from a cooking Italian family. Her father started his own restaurant in New York and also published a cookbook. And apparently, Lady Gaga has inherited the family’s cooking genes. Her Instagram account occasionally features photos of her culinary activities. Sure, sometimes it’s topless cooking. But other times it’s more poignant like in the post she shared about her bringing food to the family of her dear friend who passed away. Want to try a Gaga/Germanotta family favorite? Check out her recipe for whole wheat pasta with a sweet fennel sauce.