Former NFL Player Larry Williams Passes Away

The University of South Florida (USF) announced the passing of Larry Williams on Thursday. He was a former NFL player and athletic director at the university, dying while training at the gym on campus. He was 62 years old.

According to the university, Williams, who had a successful career in athletics, was at the War Memorial Gym in the Sobrato Center when he passed away.

University President Salvador D. Aceves expressed condolences: “Our prayers go to Larry’s wife, Laura, and their children—Christine, Sean, Scott, Eric, and Luis—as well as their families and grandchildren.” He also mentioned the impact Williams had on the community of student-athletes, coaches, and staff.

Williams grew up in California and was a standout at Mater Dei High School before moving on to Notre Dame, where he won the National Player of the Year award twice during his college years.

He entered the NFL after being drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the 10th round of the 1985 draft, playing with them from 1986 to 1988.

Though he missed the entire 1989 and 1990 seasons due to injuries, Williams returned to the league in 1991 with the New Orleans Saints, and concluded his NFL career in 1992 with the New England Patriots.

Outside of football, he pursued higher education and earned a law degree. Post-NFL, he returned to Notre Dame in 1999, working in licensing and product marketing.

Williams began his role as athletic director in Portland in 2004 and later held similar positions at Marquette, Akron, and San Francisco, before arriving at USF.

Reflecting on his time at USF, Williams shared, “‘USF, for me, is almost the perfect combination of things that I value. First, it’s a Catholic identity. Second, it’s a deep educational mission. And number three is participating in sports in an environment that very specifically encompasses 1 and 2. At this point in my career, there’s almost a vocational element to my work here at USF.’