J. William Williams

John William Williams (September 12, 1880 – May 10, 1908) was an American football player and coach. His was one of the early deaths that was at least partially attributed to injuries incurred from a college football game.[1]

J. William Williams
Biographical details
Born(1880-09-12)September 12, 1880
Ocean View, Delaware
DiedMay 10, 1908(1908-05-10) (aged 27)
Pueblo, Colorado
Playing career
1901–1904Dickinson
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1905–1906Dickinson
Head coaching record
Overall7–6–2

Playing career

Williams played college football at Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania from 1901 until 1904, where he was team captain.[2] In 1903, he and his teammates defeated Penn State by a score of 6–0[3] while completing their season at 7 wins and 5 losses under coach Charles Hutchins[4] As of completion of the 2007 season, Williams still holds the school record for the most touchdowns in a game with five and has several other all-time top achievements, including a 90-yard touchdown return.[5]

Coaching career

After a year of studying law in Virginia, Williams was named the sixth head football coach for his alma mater, Dickinson College[6] and he held that position for two seasons, from 1905 until 1906.[7] His coaching record at Dickinson was 7–6–2.[8]

Personal life

Williams's health deteriorated while coaching and he was forced to resign in the spring of 1907. He returned to his home state of Delaware that summer until the autumn of 1907 working at a local business. It became clear that he was suffering from tuberculosis, and he decided to move west to Pueblo, Colorado. In Colorado, Williams taught physics and chemistry in the local public school system until he died at age twenty seven on May 10, 1908.[9]

Head coaching record
Year Team Overall ConferenceStanding Bowl/playoffs
Dickinson Red Devils () (1905–1906)
1905 Dickinson 4–3
1906 Dickinson 3–3–2
Dickinson: 7–6–2
Total:7–5–2

References
  1. New York Times "HIS DEATH DUE TO FOOTBALL-Injuries of John Williams of Dickinson Developed Into Consumption" May 17, 1908
  2. Dickinson College Chronicls Archived 2007-09-06 at the Wayback Machine "John William Williams (1880–1908)"
  3. College Football Data Warehouse Penn State 1903 Football records
  4. College Football Reference Dickinson College 1903 Records
  5. Dickinson College Football Guide
  6. Dickinson College Football records
  7. Centennial Conference Archived October 29, 2008, at the Wayback Machine "2008 Centennial Conference Football Prospectus"
  8. “The History of Football at Dickinson College, 1885–1969.” Gobrecht, Wilbur J., Chambersburg, PA: Kerr Printing Co., 1971.
  9. Dickinson College Archives Archived 2007-09-06 at the Wayback Machine John William Williams
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