OXFORD, Miss. – Ben Williams, the first African-American to play in a varsity football game for Ole Miss, will have his No. 74 jersey number retired later this season, Vice Chancellor for Intercollegiate Athletics Keith Carter announced on Thursday.
Williams’ jersey retirement ceremony will take place at the 2022 Battle for the Golden Egg, against Mississippi State, on Nov. 24. He will be just the fourth player in Ole Miss’ storied football history to have his number retired, joining Archie Manning (18), Chucky Mullins (38) and Eli Manning (10).
“It is our honor to recognize Gentle Ben and his immense impact by enshrining his No. 74 among the greats to ever wear the Red and Blue,” Carter said. “Few individuals in the history of our university have opened more doors for others than Ben. In a year that our campus is celebrating 60 years of integration, the athletics department is excited to forever distinguish Ben — the player and the person — for breaking down walls in our football program and helping make Ole Miss what it is today.”
Williams, who was affectionately known as “Gentle Ben”, joined James Reed to become the first African-American student-athletes to sign football scholarships with the Rebels. The Williams-Reed Football Foyer, located in the Olivia and Archie Manning Athletics Performance Center, pays tribute to the contributions of Williams and Reed.
A native of Yazoo City, Mississippi, Williams was a four-year letterwinner for the Rebels (1972-75) and earned All-America honors, drawing a first team distinction in 1975. Williams was also a three-time first team All-SEC selection and member of Ole Miss’ Football Team of the Century.
Williams owns the program record for career sacks with 37, including an Ole Miss single-season record of 18 in 1973. Over his career, he amassed 377 tackles, including a career-high 116 as a senior.
Off the field, Williams is one of the most popular players in school history and particularly during his playing days when he was elected by the student body for what is now known as Mr. Ole Miss.
Following his time in Oxford, Williams participated in the 1976 Senior Bowl, as well as the Coaches Association All-America Bowl and the 1975 East-West Game.
After Williams earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 1976, the Buffalo…
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