Senate Concurrent Resolution 573

(As Adopted by Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION EXTENDING THE CONDOLENCES OF THE LEGISLATURE TO THE SURVIVING FAMILY OF ROBERT JERRY "GENTLE BEN" WILLIAMS OF YAZOO CITY, MISSISSIPPI, THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN TO PLAY FOOTBALL AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI AND ONE OF THE GREATEST DEFENSIVE PLAYERS IN THE SCHOOL'S HISTORY, AND COMMENDING HIS CIVIC CONTRIBUTIONS.

WHEREAS, we join the family, friends and supporters of Ole Miss Football in mourning the passing of Robert Jerry "Ben" Williams from Yazoo City, Mississippi, the first African American to play football at the University of Mississippi and one of the greatest defensive players in the school's history, on May 18, 2020, at age 65; and

WHEREAS, Ben Williams was born on September 1, 1954, in Yazoo City, Mississippi, to the late Robert J. Williams, Sr., and Ernestine Williams. Ben was a believer in Christ, as well as a loving husband, father and grandfather. He greeted everyone with a smile, enjoyed spending time with friends and family and was always willing to lend a helping hand; and

WHEREAS, as a child, Ben attended St. Francis Catholic Church in Yazoo City, Mississippi, and also attended Yazoo City High School where he was an outstanding football player. He was a two-year letterman and was the 1971 Team Captain. He was also Captain of the North team in the 1972 Mississippi High School All-Star game. He graduated from Yazoo City High School in 1972; and

WHEREAS, Ben, who was affectionately known as "Gentle Ben," became one of the first African American student-athletes to sign a football scholarship at the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss), Oxford, Mississippi. At Ole Miss, he was a four-year letterman and the first African American Ole Miss football player to earn All-American honors. He was also a three-time first team All-SEC selection and member of Ole Miss' Football Team of the Century. Ben was the first African American student to be elected by the student body for what is now known as "Mr. Ole Miss"; and

WHEREAS, after Ben earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 1976, he was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the third round of the NFL Draft. He spent his entire 10-year NFL career with the Bills, during which he played in 147 games. He was selected for the Pro Bowl in 1983 and named to the Bill's Silver Anniversary team; and

WHEREAS, after retiring from football, Ben founded LYNCO Construction Company in Jackson, Mississippi. He also provided guidance and leadership at Ole Miss by serving as a member of the Black Alumni Advisory Council, The University of Mississippi Foundation Board of Directors and the M-Club Board of Directors; and as Chair of the Minority Scholarship Endowment fundraising efforts; and

WHEREAS, in the community, he was active in the Easter Seals Society and Multiple Sclerosis Association. Professionally, he was a member of the Association of Building Contractors and a recipient of the Ralph L. Wilson Leadership Award. In 1992, he assisted in establishing The Robert Ben Williams Minority Scholarship Endowment, which supports scholarships awarded for academic excellence. Ben was a proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.; and

WHEREAS, Ben was inducted into the Ole Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame in 1993 and the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame in 1997. He received the Distinguished American Award from the Ole Miss Chapter of the National Football Foundation in 1991. He was named an SEC Legend in 2002; and

WHEREAS, his final and most important honor was having the foyer located in the Olivia and Archie Manning Athletics Performance Center named The Williams-Reed Football Foyer; and

WHEREAS, Ben was preceded in death by his grandmother, Bertha Haymer; his father, Robert J. Williams, Sr.; sisters, Odell Williams and Betty Reed; and niece, Katina Wallace. Ben is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Linda; daughter, Aisha (Anthony) Floyd; two sons, Rodrick (Lisha) Williams and Jarrett Williams; three grandchildren: Kalyn, Prestin and Jaxon; his mother, Ernestine Williams; two sisters, Vivian and Irene Williams; one brother, Donnie (Minnie) Williams; one aunt, Willie B. Daniel; a lifelong friend, Virdell Edwards; along with a host of nieces, nephews and friends; and

WHEREAS, Coach Jim Carmody, who coached at Ole Miss twice, Mississippi State twice and Southern Mississippi twice, said Ben Williams and Jerald Baylis, a nose tackle at USM, were the two best college players he ever coached. Carmody coached with the Buffalo Bills as defensive line coach and said Williams' popularity with teammates carried over to the NFL and to the Buffalo Bills. Williams retired from the Bills in 1985 as the franchise's all-time leader in sacks with 45.5; and

WHEREAS, we pay tribute and cherish fondly the memory of a Mississippi sports legend and public-spirited citizen of our state who will be missed:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby extend the condolences of the Legislature to the surviving family of Robert Jerry "Gentle Ben" Williams of Yazoo City, Mississippi, the first African American to play football at the University of Mississippi and one of the greatest defensive players in the school's history, and commend his civic contributions.

BE IF FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of Ben Williams, forwarded to the Chancellor of the University of Mississippi and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.