Larry Williams, a former NFL offensive lineman and athletic director at the University of San Francisco, passed away on Thursday at 62 while working out at the campus gym, as confirmed by the university.
At the time of his death, Williams was training at the War Memorial Gymnasium located in the Sobrato Center.
He achieved All-American honors during his time at Notre Dame before spending five seasons in the NFL from 1986 to 1992.
“Our thoughts are with Larry’s wife, Laura, their children, Christine, Sean, Scott, Eric, and Luis, as well as their families and grandchildren,” stated Salvador D. Aceves, the President of the University of San Francisco.
He added, “I extend my prayers to the university’s 250 student-athletes, along with the coaches and staff under Larry’s capable leadership.”
A native of California, Williams attended Mater Dei, a well-known high school for athletics, before moving on to Notre Dame.
He was picked by the Browns in the 10th round of the 1985 NFL Draft and played for them from 1986 to 1988. Over those years, he participated in 42 games, starting 33.
Williams faced injuries that sidelined him for the 1989 and 1990 seasons, but he made a comeback with the Saints in 1991 for six games. He also played 13 games, starting nine, with the Patriots in 1992, marking his final NFL season.
In total, Williams played in 61 games during his career, starting in 44.
His school biography notes that he earned a law degree while still playing, transitioned into the legal sector post-NFL, and returned to Notre Dame in 1999 for work in licensing and product marketing.
The University of Portland appointed him as athletic director in 2004, and he later served at Marquette and Akron before joining San Francisco in 2022.
Following his passing, Stephanie Shrive Hawkins has stepped in as the interim athletic director.
After being hired, Williams expressed his appreciation for USF, citing its Catholic identity, strong educational mission, and commitment to sports as key aspects that resonated with him, describing his role there as something almost vocational at this point in his career.
