Panthers’ DeAngelo Williams dyes hair pink in honor of late mother (Photo)

Carolina Panthers’ running back DeAngelo Williams lost his mother Sandra Williams to breast cancer this year.

More from Carolina Panthers

• NFL rumors: Eagles RB1 hint, Bryce Young shows out, C.J. Stroud slow play
• NFL Power Rankings: Who is the best quarterback in each division?
• Carolina Panthers RB has a truly wild Andy Dalton take
• NFL Power Rankings: Which teams will have the best rushing attacks this season?
• Bryce Young has one fiery obstacle in the way of his starting job

Williams is passionate about raising awareness about breast cancer, and so it is that he has dyed his hair pink in honor of his late mother for the team’s season-opening game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.

Adam Schefter passes along the photo of Williams’ pink dreadlocks.

In a piece that he wrote for MMQB this past May, Williams said the following about breast cancer awareness after losing his mother:

"Breast cancer, whether I like it or not, is part of my family’s story. That’s why I am so passionate about raising awareness, because I have seen firsthand how it can impact others. One time, a lady came up to me and said she was going to get examined just because she saw me wearing pink cleats during a game. I walked away thinking, Wow, pink is really so much more than just a color. It’s a lifesaver. It’s awareness. If we reach one, we reach millions. If we reach millions, we’re doing our job and getting closer to finding a cure."

Some people are inclined to cast a skeptical eye towards professional sports teams wearing pink to raise awareness for breast cancer. Any people who do feel that way need to turn their attention elsewhere and pick a different battle, because as Williams is showing, these gestures are quite meaningful to a number of people.