Published: Thursday, Oct. 08, 2009 / Updated: Thursday, Oct. 08, 2009 07:23 AM

Williams, man behind the idea, to honor mom with pink cleats

CHARLOTTE -- Even after it was his idea, Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams had to sit and watch other players steal his thunder last weekend.

Williams suggested this offseason that players be allowed to wear pink cleats this season to raise awareness for breast cancer research. It's a charity that hits close to home, since his mother's a survivor.

He never thought it would reach this point when he mentioned it to Panthers director of community relations Riley Fields before the start of training camp, but the message found traction, was approved, and a number of players wore pink gloves, wristbands and shoes last week.

“Nothing is stronger than wearing pink on the thing that keeps you going in the National Football League, and that's your cleats,” Williams said. “Because if you don't have a firm foot in the ground, you're going to slip. I made a suggestion to the league, well to Riley and Riley took it to the league and they OK'd it. I was shocked because normally when you present stuff like that, it normally doesn't get past the front door. Not even the front door, the gate of the front yard. So I'm excited about that. So thanks, Riley.”

Williams will wear two pairs Sunday against Washington, because he always changes shoes at halftime of each game. He prefers the tight fit of fresh-from-the-box shoes, while teammate Muhsin Muhammad was breaking his pink shoes in during Wednesday's practice.

While Williams joked about the significance of “real mean wearing pink,” the topic is close to his heart. He participated in last weekend's Susan G. Komen Foundation's “Walk for the Cure,” and his family connection makes it real to him.

“It means a lot to me,” he said. “I've lost three aunts to it, and my mom was diagnosed with it five years ago. She got it removed, and she's been in remission. She's been there for five years, so she's a five-year survivor. I'm excited about it. She didn't tell me until she actually got rid of it. I'm stronger for that, and she didn't want it to affect me while I was playing football in college. She got it done in the offseason because she said when I'm in the offseason she's in the offseason.”

Williams said his mother would call him each time she'd see another player wearing the shoes Sunday, excited that his plan and her cause was getting more attention.

“She felt great,” he said. “She was flipping through the channels this weekend, and she was calling me every time she saw somebody in pink. It meant a lot to her, so I know it meant a lot to a lot of the cancer survivors and families out there.”

EASING BACK IN — The Panthers did something unusual Wednesday, practicing in shorts and shells rather than full pads for a normal day of preparation.

Coach John Fox will occasionally ease up on them later in seasons, but this is by far the earliest they've ever gone light, other than prior to byes.

“Very, very, very,” guard Travelle Wharton said of his level of surprise. “It was one of those days, but we were still able to get a lot done. I guess he's just trying to get guys back, back running plays, football stuff and getting everybody flushed out from the bye.”

Wharton laughed and said he fully expected to go back to full pads soon, but said it's the kind of “throw them a bone” moment Fox will dole out occasionally. The onus is then on the players to prove to him they deserved it.

“We've just got to take advantage of it,” Wharton said. “When you get it, mentally you have to take advantage of it and make plays. We have to show him, even if you're in shorts, we can go out there, move around fast and show him you're taking care of your responsibilities.”

ABSORBENT AND YELLOW AND POROUS IS HE — New Panthers defensive tackle Hollis Thomas has barely moved into his new home, but he had his bright yellow SpongeBob SquarePants backpack in his locker Wednesday.

“SpongeBob is my friend,” Thomas said plainly when asked about the accessory.

Thomas is a big fan of the cartoon, saying he was first drawn to it when his daughter was young.

“When she was 2, we started watching and I noticed some adult humor in it,” he said. “As I continued to watch it I noticed a lot of adult humor. So when I'm laughing she's not and when she's laughing I'm not. It's one of those things.

“I was wondering why there was never any SpongeBob stuff in my size, so I made some.”

That would be the matching dress shirt and fisherman's hat he wore to an ESPN party once (search the Internet for Hollis Thomas and SpongeBob and see for yourself).

Former Panthers guard Kevin Donnalley used to say that SpongeBob was his “role model” for his positive attitude, and Thomas said he agreed with that. “Nothing gets SpongeBob down,” he said. “Go to work. Go to work. Go to work.”

EXTRA POINTS — The Panthers had everyone on the field at some point Wednesday except for rookie running back Mike Goodson, who was out with the double whammy of a concussion from the Dallas game and the flu. “He's working through that,” Fox said.

Otherwise, the Panthers had five players who were limited: Running back Jonathan Stewart (Achilles), fullback Tony Fiammetta (ankle), defensive end Everette Brown (ankle), linebackers Na'il Diggs (ribs) and safety Chris Harris (knee).

“Yeah, it was a good break, and we got some guys (back) out there practicing — at least on a limited basis,” Fox said. “So, hopefully, working some guys back in that will be ready Sunday.” ...

A couple of former Panthers were on the move this week. Defensive end Maurice Evans, just released from the practice squad, was signed to Tampa Bay's 53-man roster. Defensive tackle Lonnie Harvey, an undrafted rookie who was in camp with Carolina, worked out for Washington on Tuesday.