Former Bills, Ole Miss defender Ben Williams dies at 65.
Former Bills defensive lineman Ben Williams passed away at the age of 65 from natural causes, according to the Mississippi Clarion Ledger.
Ledger spent his entire NFL career from 1976 to 1985 with the Bills. Buffalo selected Williams in the third round of the 1976 NFL Draft. He notable played along a defensive front in the early 1980s with Fred Smerlas and Jim Haslett. Williams was named to the Bills Silver Anniversary team in 1984 as well.
“Gentle Ben” earned one Pro Bowl nod with the Bills in 1982. Some suggest he should have made the team in 1983 as well when Williams notched 10 sacks. He also helped groom a player who went on to become the best pass rusher in NFL history during his rookie season, Bruce Smith.
Where Williams was truly a pioneer was prior to his time with the Bills. Williams graduated from Ole Miss before being drafted by the team. Williams enrolled in school in 1971 and played football alongside teammate James Reed, the two were the first African American players in the program’s history.
Williams had 37 career sacks in college, including 18 in one single season. Both of which are still school records.
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