Clarence Williams (defensive end)

Clarence Williams (September 3, 1946 – May 8, 2017) was an American football defensive end in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers. He was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the 11th round of the 1969 NFL Draft. He played college football at Prairie View A&M University.

Clarence Williams
No. 83
Position:Defensive end
Personal information
Born:(1946-09-03)September 3, 1946
Brazoria, Texas
Died:May 8, 2017(2017-05-08) (aged 70)
Cincinnati, Ohio
Height:6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight:255 lb (116 kg)
Career information
High school:George Washington Carver (TX)
College:Prairie View
NFL Draft:1969 / Round: 11 / Pick: 283
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career NFL statistics
Games played:111
Games started:92
Interceptions:1
Touchdowns:1
Player stats at NFL.com
Player stats at PFR

Early years

Williams played at a time when high school and colleges were still highly segregated in the South. He attended George Washington Carver High School (Sweeny, Texas), where he helped his team win the Carver State Championship in 1965.

His play in football and basketball earned him the nickname “Sweeny”. He also practiced the shot put and the discus throw. He accepted a football scholarship from Prairie View A&M University.

In 2015, he was inducted into the Prairie View A&M University Sports Hall Of Fame.

Professional career

Dallas Cowboys

Williams was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the eleventh round (283rd overall) of the 1969 NFL Draft as a defensive tackle.[1] On September 9, he was waived but signed to the team's taxi squad, where he spent all of the 1969 season.[2]

He was given playing time in the 1970 preseason, including a game against the Green Bay Packers where he was scouted. On September 1, 1970, he was traded along with Malcolm Walker to the Packers, in exchange for future hall of famer Herb Adderley.[3]

Green Bay Packers

Williams was looked upon as the replacement for recently retired Willie Davis. In the eighth game of the 1970 season against the Baltimore Colts, Bob Brown was switched from left defensive end to tackle, in order for Williams to move into the starting lineup.

Nicknamed "Big Cat", his best season in the NFL came in 1972, when according to the Packers media he led the team with 9 sacks. Three of those sacks came in the NFC Central Division-clinching game against the Minnesota Vikings.[4]

Williams would lead the team again in 1974 with 6 sacks. In 1975, he registered 10.5 sacks. He was durable and would play in 107 consecutive games at defensive end.

In 1977, he was displaced by rookie Mike Butler and played mostly as a reserve defensive tackle. He was waived on August 16, 1978.[5]

He played for the Packers during a low point in the franchise history (only experiencing one winning season), which cost him the opportunity to earn more accolades for his play. During his time with the team he was known as Sweeny Williams and was also voted as the team's player representative.

Personal life

Williams owned a travel agency. He was married to Icy Williams and has three children, Clarence Jr., Cary and Marla. He was a defensive coach for St. Norbert College for two years. From 1988 to 1981, he was an assistant coach at Southeast Missouri State University.

On May 8, 2017, he died at the age of 70.[6]

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References
  1. "Pro Grid Draft Is Completed". Google News. Sarasota Journal. January 22, 1969. Retrieved May 13, 2017.
  2. "Calvin Hill Cracks Lineup; Dallas to Player Limit". Google News. Schenectady Gazette. September 11, 1969. Retrieved May 13, 2017.
  3. "Adderley dealt to Cowboys". Google News. Ellensburg Daily Record. September 2, 1970. Retrieved May 13, 2017.
  4. "Former Packers DE Clarence Williams dies". Green Bay Packers. May 12, 2017. Archived from the original on May 15, 2017. Retrieved May 13, 2017.
  5. Canavan, Tom (August 17, 1978). "Former Stars Weeded Out". Google News. Kentucky New Era. Retrieved May 13, 2017.
  6. Jones, Brian (May 12, 2017). "Former Green Bay Packers DE Clarence Williams passes away at 70". 247 Sports. Retrieved May 13, 2017.
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