Will stunned the Axemen coaching staff when he came to the team in 2006 from the UNF Union team with his pure speed and amazing side step. He also delighted the crowds with his dives through defenders hands to get across the line and score trys. He was the leading try scorer for both the 2006 and 2007 seasons and had cemented his place on the Axemen roster. "He was one of our first real stars" said Drew Slover.

He opened his 2008 campaign with an great display during this past weekends game against the New York Knights before suffering a head clash that saw him suffer his 5th concussion in just over two seasons and again needed 8 staples to close the gash in his head.

After returning to Jacksonville and having the opportunity to seek specialist medical advice, he has been advised to retire from the sport. Will is also expecting to become a father for the first time in July.

Spinner Howland who started coaching Will during his first season with the UNF Union team and then saw him develop as a league player with the Axemen was concerned at the void this will create in the Axemen roster but he also said that he fully understands and supports his decision. "Will is a potent player and will be a huge lose, but when it comes to your health over sport, especially when you are about to enter into the life of family and fatherhood, that decision should be one of the easiest thing to do. I would be making the exact same choice and would almost be forcing someone else to do the same under these circumstances. This is his 5th real concussion and we all know the human body can only take so many "mini car crashes" before it breaks."

Will scored over 50 points in both his Axemen seasons and will retire from the playing roster having been the first and only Axemen to have scored over 100 points so far.

Spinner added, "This is the first real veteran we had seen leave our team and the first real mild-stone for a player to accomplish. Retiring numbers in this game is not an option nor a custom, but for Will to have done so much in such a short period of time, makes me feel as if we was worthy of such as honor."

Will has showed an interest in staying on as part of the team with admin and other assistance and the Axemen are sure that within a month a new addition to the "Axemen Family" will be gracing the players and fans at our home games, along with the Superstar Dad.

You can see some of Will's (# 1 Jersey) speed and tackles at the Axemen You-tube video at this link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SV_Jah19V4