A homegrown star for the Huskies in the 1960s passed away in Florida on Wednesday.
Dave Williams, who holds multiple tight end receiving records and was a four-time All-American in track and field during his time at Washington, died in Florida after a prolonged illness. He was 78 years old.
Williams was a three-sport athlete at Lincoln High School in Tacoma, starring in football, basketball, and track and field just south of the UW campus in Pierce County. He won a state championship for Lincoln in the hurdles in 1963.
His talents took him a short drive up the I-5 corridor to Montlake, where he played wide receiver and tight end for coach Jim Owens while running track for Stan Hiserman. Williams was an All-American in four different events in track and field, including the broad jump, 120 yard hurdles, 440 yard hurdles, and 4×110 yard relay.
Williams went on to compete in the 1964 Olympic trials in the decathlon before being drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals at No. 16 overall in the 1967 NFL draft. He played five seasons in St. Louis before spending time with the San Diego Chargers and Pittsburgh Steelers.
In 1976, Williams attempted an NFL comeback, becoming the first player to sign with the new Seahawks expansion franchise in the process. However, Williams never saw the field for Seattle, as he suffered a career-ending knee injury during an offseason track meet.
Williams was elected to the Husky Hall of Fame in 2014.