The Seahawks handed Williams the captaincy for their second preseason trial, against the Kansas City Chiefs, a nod to the courageous comeback the Brisbane-born player has made since having kidney surgery in May.

The 24-year-old said he was humbled to be named captain for the second  match, along with right guard J.R. Sweezy and fullback Derrick Coleman.

Chiefs safety Eric Berry, a lymphoma survivor, was named captain for Kansas City and Williams said it was a special moment to share with him.

"I was pretty surprised, but it's a huge honour," he said.

"It meant a lot to me to be out there and represent me, and Eric was out there as well battling with his stuff as well."

After his most arduous off-season, the defensive tackle is having close to his most successful lead-in to a season since being drafted in 2013.

Williams made two tackles in the Seahawks' season opener last week against Denver, his first game since 2013 after rupturing his ACL last season.

That return was an emotion-charged one for the Cavendish Rd High School student, who was almost overcome running on to the field.

He tweeted about the significance of his first game back.

That Was More Than a Football Game for Me, Running out of that Tunnel with My Team Is Something Money Cant Buy. #MonstarStrong— Jesse Williams (@ThaMonstar) August 15, 2015

Grateful For Another Game Day With My Brothers! pic.twitter.com/sgrY9ree5k— Jesse Williams (@ThaMonstar) August 21, 2015

 

Play Every Game like Its My Last. Tomorrow isn't Guaranteed!

A photo posted by Jesse Williams 怪物 (@thamonstar) on Aug 22, 2015 at 9:46am PDT