About Ben Williams
Lived 1954 – 2020 (aged 65). Ben Williams was an American american football player.
Robert Jerry Williams (September 1, 1954 – May 18, 2020), nicknamed "Gentle Ben", was an American professional football player who was a defensive end in the National Football League (NFL) from 1976 to 1985. Williams was the first Black person to play college football for the Ole Miss Rebels of the University of Mississippi.
Nicknamed "Gentle Ben" during his college days, Williams was a three-time All-SEC selection. He holds the school record for sacks in a single season (18) and in a career (37).
He was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the third round of the 1976 NFL draft. He was named to the Pro Bowl in 1982. During his ten years with the Bills, he made 45.5 sacks, a franchise record.
Two years after his death at 65, Ole Miss retired his number, 74, making Williams just the fourth person so honored. The ceremony took place on November 24, 2022, as Ole Miss played Mississippi State in the Egg Bowl.
Don’t just read it —
keep it.
Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.
- E-book
- Audio
- Video
Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free
Important facts
People in Ben Williams's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Related people
Same field, nearest in time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Ben Williams's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Ben Williams?
American football player (1954-2020)
When was Ben Williams born?
Ben Williams was born on 1 September 1954 in Yazoo City.
When did Ben Williams die?
Ben Williams died on 18 May 2020 in Jackson.
What was Ben Williams's occupation?
Ben Williams was an american football player.
What nationality was Ben Williams?
Ben Williams was American.
Sources & further reading
· DBpedia: Ben Williams (American football, born 1954)
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Ben Williams. https://biography.guide/ben-williams-american-football-player/
MLA: "Ben Williams." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/ben-williams-american-football-player/.
Chicago: "Ben Williams." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/ben-williams-american-football-player/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
Page generated 2026-09-27 05:02 UTC