You’ve seen the tweet. Or maybe the TikTok. It’s late 2024, and the Alabama Crimson Tide just pulled off one of the most insane wins in college football history against Georgia. Suddenly, the GOAT herself, Serena Williams, hops on X (formerly Twitter) and calls the 17-year-old superstar Ryan Williams her "cousin."
The internet, as it usually does, absolutely lost its mind.
People were frantically Googling the family tree of the Williams dynasty. Was there a secret branch of the family producing world-class wide receivers in Alabama? Did Richard Williams have a grandson we didn’t know about? Honestly, it felt plausible. Ryan plays with that same "refuse to lose" energy that defined Serena’s career. But if you’re looking for a blood connection, I’ve got to burst that bubble pretty quickly.
Is Ryan Williams related to Serena Williams?
Let’s get the direct answer out of the way: No, Ryan Williams is not actually related to Serena Williams. They aren't cousins. They aren't distant relatives. They don't share a family reunion in Louisiana or California. The whole "cousin" thing was basically just Serena being a fan and having some fun with the fact that they share one of the most common last names in the world.
Think about it this way. If you’re the greatest tennis player of all time and you see a kid with your last name doing things that shouldn't be humanly possible on a football field, why wouldn't you claim him? Serena was just being playful. She’s an avid football fan—she even has an ownership stake in the Miami Dolphins—so she knows a star when she sees one. Calling him "cuz" was a badge of honor, not a genealogical fact.
The tweet that started the chaos
To be specific, after Ryan’s legendary 75-yard game-winning touchdown against Georgia, Serena posted: "Honestly this is pretty impressive from my 17 year old cousin ha go Cuz!" That one sentence generated millions of views and sparked a news cycle that lasted for weeks. It’s the kind of "internet truth" that sticks because people want it to be true. The idea of a super-athlete family spanning across tennis and football is just too cool to ignore.
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Who are Ryan Williams' real parents?
If he’s not a member of the Serena and Venus clan, where did this kid come from? Talent like that doesn't just appear out of thin air. Ryan Williams Jr. actually comes from a very athletic background, just not the one people were guessing.
His father is Ryan Williams Sr., and the guy was a beast in his own right.
The elder Williams was a standout athlete in Mobile, Alabama. He played quarterback in high school before heading to Auburn University in the late 2000s, where he played defensive back. Talk about a house divided, right? His son is the face of Alabama, but the dad wore the orange and blue.
There’s actually a pretty touching story there. Ryan Sr. had a choice back in the day: try to grind out a professional football career or focus entirely on raising his son and coaching him up. He chose the latter. He’s been training Ryan Jr. since he was a little kid, which explains why a 17-year-old has the footwork and "IQ" of a five-year NFL veteran.
Why the confusion persists
Besides the tweet, there are a few reasons why people keep asking if Ryan Williams is related to Serena Williams:
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- The Last Name: Williams is the third most common surname in the African American community.
- The Age Factor: Because Ryan is so young (he reclassified from the 2025 class to play for Alabama a year early), people assume he must have "pro athlete DNA."
- The "Hollywood" Moniker: Ryan’s nickname is "Hollywood." It sounds like something a celebrity relative would come up with. In reality, his dad gave him that nickname when he was six because he always "put on a show" on the field.
Serena’s actual family tree
If you look at Serena’s actual family, it’s a big group, but there are no Alabama wide receivers in the mix. Serena and Venus are the most famous, but they have three half-sisters on their mother’s side: Yetunde (who tragically passed away in 2003), Lyndrea, and Isha Price.
On their father Richard’s side, there are several other half-siblings, including brothers like Richard III and Chavoita LeSane. While Chavoita is involved in film production and has been a spokesperson for the family, none of the immediate Williams siblings have children who are currently playing high-level Division I college football in the SEC.
What makes Ryan Williams so special?
The reason this rumor even had legs is that Ryan Williams is doing things no 17-year-old should be doing. Most kids his age are worried about prom or getting their driver’s license. Ryan was busy burning Georgia’s secondary for 177 yards.
He was the first player ever to win Alabama’s "Mr. Football" award twice. He won it as a sophomore. Think about that. He was better than every senior in the state when he was only 15 or 16.
He’s got this wiry frame—about 6 feet tall and 175 pounds—that reminds people of DeVonta Smith. He’s not the biggest guy on the field, but he’s almost impossible to touch. His track background is legit, too; he’s clocked a 10.49 in the 100-meter dash. When you combine that speed with the training he got from his dad, you get a "generational" talent.
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The verdict on the Williams connection
So, we can officially put this to rest. Ryan Williams and Serena Williams are not family. They are just two people who happen to be at the absolute top of their respective sports.
However, the "cousin" tag might stick as a permanent nickname. In the world of sports, being "adopted" by a legend like Serena is almost better than actually being related. It’s an endorsement of your greatness.
If you're following Ryan's career, don't look for him at Williams family reunions in Florida. Instead, keep an eye on his NIL deals—which are already valued at over $2 million—and his trajectory toward the NFL Draft. He’s building his own dynasty in Tuscaloosa, one highlight-reel catch at a time.
What to watch for next
To stay on top of this story and Ryan’s actual career path, you should check out the following:
- Follow the Alabama Crimson Tide's official roster for updates on his stats and class standing, as he is technically a sophomore now after his breakout freshman year.
- Monitor his NIL partnerships with brands like Hollister and EA Sports, which are usually a good indicator of his rising "celebrity" status.
- Don't be surprised if Serena pops up at a game in Tuscaloosa eventually. Even if they aren't related, she's clearly a fan, and that kind of cross-sport support is great for the game.
The next time someone asks you if they're related, you can tell them the truth: they’re only "related" by greatness.