Williams credits teachers at the Holy Family Institute School with changing his life. He is now saving lives as a 21-year-old paramedic crew chief. Williams arrived at Holy Family with a lack of direction and a history of making bad decisions. He improved his grades, became editor of the school yearbook, tutored students in Pittsburgh Public Schools and received his Red Cross Lifesaving certification.

After high school, he received his E.M.T. certification and was accepted into the highly-regarded University of Pittsburgh’s Center for Emergency Medicine, where he earned his Paramedic certification.

Upon graduating in May 2010, he was offered a position with Munhall Area Prehospital Services and promoted to paramedic crew chief within a year. He is currently seeking certification to become an emergency medical services educator.

Starks is an avid philanthropist who supports many worthy causes, especially through the Pittsburgh Foundation’s Max Starks Fund for childhood literacy and education. In 2009, his community service endeavors earned him the Steelers’ Walter Payton Man of the Year award.

Last year, Starks experienced his most significant physical setback—a neck injury that required surgery, a procedure involving a cervical fusion. He has made a full recovery and re-signed with the Steelers prior to the Oct. 9 game against the Tennessee Titans. For his determination to overcome this injury, Starks’ teammates voted him the 2011 Ed Block Courage Award winner.