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Former NFL player and the University of San Francisco's Athletic Director Larry Williams has died at the age of 62.
The former offensive lineman died suddenly on Thursday while going through a morning workout on campus in the school's War Memorial Gym, University President Salvador D. Aceves announced.
A cause of death has not yet been given.
'Our prayers go out to Larry's wife, Laura, their children, Kristin, Sean, Scott, Eric, and Louis, their families, and his grandchildren,' Aceves said in a statement.
'My thoughts and prayers also go to the university's 250 student-athletes and all of the coaches and staff under Larry's skillful watch.'
Williams had been serving as athletic director at the University of San Francisco since August 2022.
Ex-NFL player and the University of San Francisco's Athletic Director Larry Williams has died
Williams was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the 10th round of the 1985 NFL Draft
He was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the 10th round of the 1985 NFL Draft out of Notre Dame.
The guard and center played from 1986 to 1992, appearing in 61 games with the Browns, New Orleans Saints and New England Patriots. He started 44 of those games.
The native of Orange, California, Williams earned a law degree from the University of San Diego while playing in the NFL and later practiced in Indianapolis upon retiring from football in 1993.
Williams also spent stints as athletic director at Marquette and the University of Portland. He spent his life devoted to a deep faith combined with his love of education and athletics.
'USF represents to me the almost perfect combination of things I cherish,' he said when hired.
'No. 1, it's the Catholic identity. No. 2, it's the deep educational mission. And No. 3, it's athletic participation in an environment that very specifically includes 1 and 2. At this point in my career, there's almost a vocational element to what I do here at USF.'
'Grounded in his Catholic faith, Larry saw his work at USF as more than a profession - it was a calling which he devotedly lived out for others on a daily basis,' Aceves wrote.
'Starting his days in contemplative prayer, scripture reading, and reflection, his belief in the harmony of faith, education, and athletics shaped his vision for the department and his dedication to the holistic development of student-athletes.'
