His name is Isiah John Williams.

His nickname is Juice.

I can relate. The first name on my birth certificate is Jimmie. A nice name until you are about four. Call me Jim. Please.

Two weeks from now Juice will be honored with the other departing Illini seniors just before a career ending non-conference game with a few orange and blue faithful looking on. A strange way to end what has been a topsy-turvy four years for the Chicago Vocational star.

Some will remember Juice for the Rose Bowl. Some for his heroics in that giant win at Ohio State. Some will recall that he put up more numbers on offense than any other Illini ever.

But, many will put a question mark behind his name. How good was he? What happened to him from one year to the next. How did he become embroiled in a quarterback controversy? What is his future? Was the former offensive coordinator a better fit for Juice than the current one?

Many of these questions will never be answered.

But, one thing is for certain.

Juice Williams took it like a man - at least on the outside. He never whined, he never sulked, he never had bad things to say about the horrible situation, and he always encouraged his teammates - especially the other quarterbacks.

Perhaps he was dying on the inside. He might have gone home and kicked the dog. He might have spent hours staring at the wall, seeking answers. He might have cried himself to sleep. His close friends probably know.

But, to us - the press, the fans, the general public - he never let on.

Who knows what will happen in these last two non-conference games that wrap up the silliest schedule anyone can remember.

But, I for one, will remember that Isiah John Williams was a true Fighting Illini who slapped adversity in the face and walked off the field for the last time with his head held high.....a proud young man.

Now, that's something to remember.