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Ted Williams: Before and After

January 6, 2011 / 9:43 AM EST / CBS News

CBS

Ted Williams, who has become an overnight sensation after the Columbus Dispatch posted a clip of him demonstrating his voiceover skills while begging by the side of the road, reunites with his mother on Jan. 6, 2010.

"Hi mommy," said Williams, 53. "You always told me to pray, and I've been praying, mommy."

CBS

Ted Williams, who has become an overnight sensation after the Columbus Dispatch posted a clip of him demonstrating his voiceover skills while begging by the side of the road, reunites with his mother on Jan. 6, 2010.

CBS

Ted Williams, who has become an overnight sensation after the Columbus Dispatch posted a clip of him demonstrating his voiceover skills while begging by the side of the road, reunites with his mother on Jan. 6, 2010.

CBS

Ted Williams, who has become an overnight sensation after the Columbus Dispatch posted a clip of him demonstrating his voiceover skills while begging by the side of the road, reunites with his mother on Jan. 6, 2010.

CBS

Ted Williams, who has become an overnight sensation after the Columbus Dispatch posted a clip of him demonstrating his voiceover skills while begging by the side of the road, reunites with his mother on Jan. 6, 2010.

CBS

Ted Williams, who has become an overnight sensation after the Columbus Dispatch posted a clip of him demonstrating his voiceover skills while begging by the side of the road, reunites with his mother on Jan. 6, 2010.

CBS

Ted Williams, who has become an overnight sensation after the Columbus Dispatch posted a clip of him demonstrating his voiceover skills while begging by the side of the road, reunites with his mother on Jan. 6, 2010.

CBS

Ted Williams, who has become an overnight sensation after the Columbus Dispatch posted a clip of him demonstrating his voiceover skills while begging by the side of the road, reunites with his mother on Jan. 6, 2010.

CBS

Ted Williams, who has become an overnight sensation after the Columbus Dispatch posted a clip of him demonstrating his voiceover skills while begging by the side of the road, reunites with his mother on Jan. 6, 2010.

CBS

Ted Williams, who has become an overnight sensation after the Columbus Dispatch posted a clip of him demonstrating his voiceover skills while begging by the side of the road, reunites with his mother on Jan. 6, 2010.

CBS Photo

Announcer job offerings are pouring in for Ted Williams, described as "the man with the golden voice." Williams was spotted panhandling on the roadside in Ohio, was featured in a video that went viral and demonstrated his "gift of voice" Tuesday on "The Early Show" on CBS.

Report: The Ted Williams Story
REPORT: His Mother Speaks Out

CBS

This is how Ted Williams looked in that first video that went viral. The recovering alcoholic-drug addict, who says he has been sober for more than two years, was carrying a sign saying he'd fallen on hard times but has a God-given gift of voice.

Report: The Ted Williams Story
REPORT: His Mother Speaks Out

CBS

Ted Williams appeared on "The Early Show" Jan. 5, 2011, to describe his rise from panhandler to Internet sensation and to discuss his dream of being reunited with his 90-year-old mother who lives in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he was raised.

Report: The Ted Williams Story
REPORT: His Mother Speaks Out

Peter Kramer,AP Photo/NBC

Ted Williams appears on NBC's "Today" show, in New York, Jan. 6, 2011. Williams was in New York for an emotional reunion with his 90-year-old mother, media appearances and to do some commercial voiceover work.

Report: The Ted Williams Story
REPORT: His Mother Speaks Out

Peter Kramer,AP Photo/NBC

Ted Williams prays during NBC's "Today" show in New York, Jan. 6, 2011. He described his previous 48 hours as "outrageous."

Report: The Ted Williams Story
REPORT: His Mother Speaks Out

AP Photo/Richard Drew

Ted Williams is interviewed after his appearance on a morning television show in New York, Jan. 6, 2011.

Report: The Ted Williams Story
REPORT: His Mother Speaks Out

AP Photo/Richard Drew

Ted Williams takes a smoke break after his appearance on morning television in New York, Jan. 6, 2011.

Report: The Ted Williams Story
REPORT: His Mother Speaks Out

CBS Photo

Ninety-year-old Julia Williams of Brooklyn, N.Y., tells Chris Wragge on "The Early Show" that "God has answered my prayer. I prayed that I would live to see this time when he would do well."

Report: The Ted Williams Story
REPORT: His Mother Speaks Out

Columbus Ohio Division of Police

This March 5, 2007, booking photo shows Ted Williams, who became an overnight sensation in January 2010 after the Columbus Dispatch posted a clip of him demonstrating his voiceover skills while begging by the side of the road.

Columbus Ohio Division of Police

This Sept. 2, 2003, booking photo shows Ted Williams, who became an overnight sensation in January 2010 after the Columbus Dispatch posted a clip of him demonstrating his voiceover skills while begging by the side of the road.

Columbus Ohio Division of Police

This June 2, 1999, booking photo shows Ted Williams, who became an overnight sensation in January 2010 after the Columbus Dispatch posted a clip of him demonstrating his voiceover skills while begging by the side of the road.

Columbus Ohio Division of Police

This March 7, 2007, booking photo shows Ted Williams, who became an overnight sensation in January 2010 after the Columbus Dispatch posted a clip of him demonstrating his voiceover skills while begging by the side of the road.

Columbus Ohio Division of Police

This Aug. 25, 1995, booking photo shows Ted Williams, who became an overnight sensation in January 2010 after the Columbus Dispatch posted a clip of him demonstrating his voiceover skills while begging by the side of the road.