When it's your will versus another person's will, the worst thing

The words of DeAngelo Williams carry with them the fire of competition and the wisdom of one who has faced battle on the fields of sport: “When it's your will versus another person's will, the worst thing you can do is smile in their face when you're competing. That's what I tell our guys. Go have fun.” At first glance, this saying may seem like nothing more than a coach’s jest, but hidden within it is an ancient truth about struggle, rivalry, and the spirit of joy that must guide us even when the contest is fierce.

For in the crucible of competition, it is not the body alone that contends, but the will. Muscles may tire, strategies may falter, but the will—that unyielding fire within—is what determines victory or defeat. To smile in the face of an opponent in such a moment is not arrogance, but the highest expression of confidence. It unsettles the rival, reminding them that you are not bowed by the struggle, that you carry not only strength but also joy. Such a smile declares, “This contest will not break me, for I revel in it.”

History bears witness to this truth. Recall the tale of Muhammad Ali, who in the ring smiled, joked, and danced even as he faced the greatest fighters of his age. To his opponents, this was maddening—for while they strained with every fiber, Ali appeared untouchable, as though the battle were a game. Yet behind that smile was not carelessness, but an indomitable will, a joy in the struggle itself. His smile was a weapon, disarming and unsettling, while also fueling his own spirit with the lightness of play.

Williams’ words also remind us that even in the fiercest contests, one must not forget to “go have fun.” This may sound simple, yet it contains deep wisdom. The warrior who fights without joy is already half-defeated, for the weight of seriousness dulls his reflexes and burdens his spirit. But the one who plays, who delights in the clash, who smiles amidst the struggle, finds strength renewed. Joy is not the absence of effort—it is the force that makes effort sustainable, turning hardship into triumph.

The smile here is both shield and sword. It shields the heart from despair, reminding oneself that the contest is not a burden but a proving ground. And it serves as a sword against the opponent, striking doubt into their will. For what can be more daunting than to see your rival laughing in the very moment you are straining with all your might? That smile whispers: “I will not only endure—I will enjoy, and you cannot take that from me.”

The lesson for us is clear: in life’s battles, whether on fields of sport, in halls of labor, or in the struggles of the spirit, approach the contest not only with determination but with joy. Do not let hardship rob you of your smile. Instead, wield it as a sign of your unbroken will. Let your adversaries see not only your strength but your delight in the test itself. For joy in struggle is the mark of true mastery, and the one who can smile in battle is the one who has already triumphed within.

Therefore, let each of us carry this teaching forward. When you face rivals, whether they be other men, the weight of circumstance, or the shadows of your own doubts, smile. Not as arrogance, but as defiance, as celebration of your unyielding spirit. Work hard, fight well, but remember always to “go have fun.” For the struggle itself is fleeting, but the joy you cultivate within it will endure long after the contest has ended.

Thus the wisdom of DeAngelo Williams endures: in the clash of wills, strength is important, but spirit is greater. And of all the weapons of the spirit, none is more powerful, more unsettling, more victorious, than the simple, radiant, fearless smile.