Video: Chris Williams channels Leon Lett—again

For most players, one highlight-reel-worthy blunder is more than enough for a career. That wasn't the case for famed Dallas Cowboys' defensive tackle Leon Lett, though, and it certainly hasn't been the case for Hamilton Tiger-Cats' wide receiver Chris Williams. Lett famously messed up in the 1992 Super Bowl, celebrating before the end zone on a fumble recovery and having the ball knocked out of his hand, and then followed that up with a Thanksgiving Day mistake on a blocked field goal that lost his team the game. Williams channelled Lett's first classic blunder last season, getting caught from behind by Winnipeg's Joe Lobendahn and fumbling, and he did the same thing again Saturday night against Montreal on a missed field goal return that should have led to a touchdown (a quirky CFL rule, and one Williams has already taken advantage of this year):

Of course, Williams' mistake here didn't have the immediate impact of Lett's Super Bowl fumble, which turned the play from a touchdown to a touchback. He was only tackled at the one-yard-line on this play and hung onto the ball, so running back Chevon Walker was able to punch the ball in on the next play. Williams' error also didn't have the game-changing impact of Lett's second mistake or his own blunder last year, as both of those cost their teams the game; the Tiger-Cats won this one by 15 points, and Williams only cost himself a touchdown on the statistics sheet, as his team still picked up seven points on this drive. Thus, in actual terms, this had a very small impact. In terms of sheer idiocy, though, Williams might now be ahead of Lett. Lett was a defensive player not used to handling the ball, and even he didn't make the same mistake twice. Williams is a star receiver for the Tiger-Cats who should have known better the first time and definitely should have known better by now, and although this play didn't cost his team, this is inexcusable on his part. (Hilarious side note here: as Jack Bedell pointed out, Lett was a Hamilton guest coach in 2011, so he clearly left all the wrong impressions on Williams.)

No one is disputing Williams' talent. He's turned into one of the best return men in the league and is also a remarkable presence in the receiving game, where he hauled in seven catches for 115 yards Sunday night. Someone has to get the message through his head that celebrations are for after you've scored, though. This particular play didn't cost his team anything, but his last blunder did, and he apparently hasn't learned anything from that experience. Creative touchdown celebrations can be great, but they can't come at the expense of making the play. Williams should be known for his spectacular on-field efforts, but if he keeps refusing to learn from his mistakes, he, like Lett, may become more famous for his mistakes. This is one classic blunder Hamilton hasn't been able to avoid repeating.