ASU Hall of Famer “Fast” Freddie Williams Passes Away

TEMPE, Ariz. -- Former Arizona State University football star running back “Fast” Freddie Williams passed away last Wednesday, May 14. 

Williams, wearing No. 36 for the Sun Devils, played under head coach Frank Kush between 1973 and 1976 and lettered all four seasons.  

While at ASU Williams amassed 3,424 rushing yards on 648 carries in his career, which is second all-time in Sun Devil history.   He averaged 5.3 yards per carry and scored 19 touchdowns.  In 1975, Williams had the best season of his career and arguably one of the best individual seasons in Sun Devil history, rushing for 1,427 yards with nine touchdowns.  That season Williams helped lead the team to the historic 12-0 season with the dramatic 17-14 Fiesta Bowl win over Nebraska.

Williams collected two straight years of 1,000-yards, including 1,427 yards in 1975 and 1,299 yards in 1974.  Williams’ best game was against UTEP on November 2, 1974 when he rushed 23 times for 216 yards and two touchdowns.  He is No. 2 on the all-time ASU list for 100-yard games with 17.  Woody Green is first with 21.  

Williams earned honorable mention All-America honors from the Associated Press (AP) and United Press International (UPI) in 1974.  In 1975 he was honorable mention All-America by AP.  He also was a two-time first-team All-Western Athletic Conference running back in 1974 and 1975.

In 1976 Williams earned an invitation to play in the All-America Bowl post-season all star game.  Williams was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the eighth round (221st selection) of the 1977 NFL Draft. 

He was inducted into the ASU Sports Hall of Fame in 2002.  

Williams’ memorial service will be held Friday May 23rd, at 2 p.m. at Best Funeral Services, North Central Chapel, located at 501 East Dunlap Avenue in Phoenix, Arizona 85020.