Ad Disclosure
Ole Miss will retire Ben Williams’ jersey number, the team announced Thursday. The jersey ceremony is planned for the 2022 Egg Bowl game.
Williams, who wore No. 74, was the first African-American to play in a varsity football game for Ole Miss in 1972. Williams and his teammate, James Reed, were the first two African-Americans to receive scholarships to Ole Miss for football.
“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,” Ole Miss AD Keith Carter said in a released statement. “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 earned All-American honors in 1975 and was named All-SEC 3 times. He has the most career sacks in Ole Miss program history with 37 and he has the fourth most career tackles by a Rebel with 377.
After his time with Ole Miss, Williams went on to play 10 seasons with the Buffalo Bills. Williams’ number is the fourth number to be retired by Ole Miss. He joins Chucky Mullins, Archie Manning and Eli Manning.
Currently, freshman offensive lineman Erick Cade wears No. 74.
