Fred Willis Obituary: Fred Willis, a former Boston College running back who played in the NGL for six seasons, has died at the age of 75. On Saturday, his alma mater announced the tragic news to the media. Certain people in football leave a lasting mark on the game, becoming legends themselves. Fred Willis is one such athlete.
The NFL and the entire sports world are mourning the loss of a former player who thrilled fans with his passion, dedication and brilliance on the field. As we say goodbye to the former shortstop at the age of 75, we reflect on his incredible life, the countless experiences he produced and the lasting impact he had on the league. Many people are wondering how the former football star died after hearing the news. Continue reading to learn more about the life and death of Fred Willis.
Fred Willis Obituary and Cause of Death: What Caused Former NFL RB’s Death?
Fred Willis died Tuesday, Boston College said in a statement. The athlete’s alma institution shared the news on social media on Saturday. While the cause of Fred’s death has not been revealed, his funeral will be held on July 12. According to the obituary of the Willis family, the former athlete is survived by his wife, five children, two stepsons and nine grandchildren.
Many individuals, including NFL fans and other celebrities who knew Fred, shared their grief on social media. Although Fred is no longer with us, his legacy in athletics will live on forever. The family of the former Bengals running back must be devastated by the death of a loved one. Let’s hope the devastated Willis family finds more strength to deal with the loss.
A look at the career of Fred Willis
Fred Willis grew up in Massachusetts. He was a standout high school football player in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. He committed to the Eagles. He was interested in athletics since childhood. His tenacity and perseverance caught the attention of scouts, paving the way for his professional football career.
Boston College’s Fred Willis became the first running back in football history to rush for 1,000 and 2,000 yards at the same time. His performance in college earned him a spot in the 1971 NFL Draft with the Cincinnati Bengals. Fred went on to play in the NFL for the next six seasons. In 1972, he was assigned to the Houston Oilers (now the Tennessee Titans). Willis started all 14 games for the club that year, his best ever season. At the end of the season, the late athlete finished third in the NFL in rushing with 579 yards and receiving with 57 catches for 371 yards.
When Willis announced his retirement in 1977, he quickly became interested in helping former NFL players who had suffered brain injuries. He founded, served as president and led HPN Neurologic in addition to developing and serving as executive director of NFL Players Brains Matter. Because of the relentless efforts of Fred Willis, the issue of CTE/TBI received national attention and is now gradually changing the way sports are played and the way athletes recover from concussions. Because of his immense accomplishments, his death left a vacuum in the hearts of NFL fans.
Categories: Entertaintment
Source: HIS Education