John F. Kennedy's Shamecca Williams is the Washington Commanders' Week 1 Girls' Flag Coach of the Week. Coach Williams is the first-ever Commanders' Flag Coach of the Week winner. As someone deeply invested in both the school and community, Williams shows up for her students in every way, from the classroom to the athletic fields. Beyond the school walls, Coach Williams builds strong relationships with families and takes part in community events, always finding ways to connect her athletes to opportunities for growth and service. Her leadership has helped create a culture of pride, accountability and support that reaches far beyond the team.
Educating student-athletes around social justice and equality is deeply important to Coach Williams. She organizes open discussions and workshops where athletes can share their experiences and learn about issues affecting their communities. She collaborates with the Wellness Center staff, many of whom come from diverse backgrounds, to provide insight on equity, inclusion and civic responsibility. Additionally, Coach Williams encourages her team to participate in community service projects that support underrepresented groups and fosters conversations around bias, privilege and respect both on and off the field. Through these efforts, Coach Williams helps her athletes grow not only as players but as thoughtful, socially-conscious individuals.
The opportunity to coach high school girls' flag is a full-circle moment for Williams, who played flag herself in D.C. for twenty years. A longtime advocate for establishing the sport, her dream became a reality last year when JFK High School held its first season. Commanders.com sat down for an exclusive with Coach Williams following her Coach of the Week win.
Q: Congratulations on being named the Commanders' Week 1 Girls' Flag Coach of the Week! How does it feel to receive an honor like this?
A: "I'm still trying to wrap my head around it. To be the first, I'm speechless. I appreciate the honor, and I appreciate those who nominated me. I'm just very overjoyed and humbled by it all, and I'm glad that the work I'm doing behind the scenes is being recognized."
Q: What's the biggest life lesson football has taught you, and how do you pass that lesson on to your players?
A: "I think the biggest life lesson is if there's something that you really want, you have to be willing to put in the work, and when you put in the work, you will get the best benefit out of it. What I tell my girls as well is it's not just about the sport; it's about building the whole individual. All the skills, all the techniques that you learn, being aggressive, being consistent and putting forth 150%, all of those things can apply to life."
Q: Do you have a motto or mantra that anchors you in your work?
A: "Really what's centered around this is 'work hard, play hard.' If you put in the work, you can enjoy it later."
Q: What's been the most rewarding moment in your two seasons coaching girls' flag at John F. Kennedy?
A: "With our short history, I have two moments. The first was us winning our very first game that we played last season. The second was winning the game against our "street" rivals, Wheaton High School (both located on Randolph Road). It was a battle. Winning that game and knowing that game would be the game that could give us the division title last season, that was big."
