| Minnesota Golden Gophers | |
|---|---|
| Personal information | |
| Born: | October 24, 1921 Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Died: | August 18, 2001 (aged 79) Edina, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Career history | |
| College | University of Minnesota |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Wayne Henry "Red" Williams Jr. (October 24, 1921 – August 18, 2001) was an American college football player, who played for the Minnesota Golden Gophers football team from 1942 to 1945.
At Roosevelt High School, Williams was a standout in both baseball and football.[1]
He led the NCAA major colleges in rushing yardage with 911 rushing yards in 1944.[2] He's the only Gopher to ever lead the nation in rushing yards or all-purpose yards for a season.[1] His 1944 average of 7.73 yards per carry and his career average 6.25 yards per carry during his career at Minnesota both remain Minnesota school records.[3] With 1,999 rushing yards, he ranked second behind Pug Lund on Minnesota's career rushing record book at the time of his graduation.[4] He died of congestive heart failure in 2001.[5]
Williams was drafted in the 2nd round of the 1945 NFL draft (13th overall), but never played in the NFL.
After his football career was over he became the manager of WLOL radio and worked in marketing.[1]
- ^ a b c Jay Weiner (August 21, 2001). "Wayne Williams, Gopher Football star and radio exec, dies at 79". Star Tribune.
- ^ ESPN College Football Encyclopedia, p. 1197.
- ^ 2008 Minnesota Football Media Guide, pages 138-139.
- ^ 2008 Minnesota Football Media Guide, page 139.
- ^ Weiner, Jay (August 21, 2001). "Wayne Williams, Gophers football star and radio exec, dies at 79". Star Tribune. Minneapolis, Minnesota. p. 19. Retrieved May 22, 2020.
