Former Dolphins and Gators Player Jarvis Williams Dies of Heart Attack

Jarvis Williams, a former player for both the Miami Dolphins and Florida Gators, has died at 45 of a heart attack, reports the Sun-Sentinel.A Palatka, Florida native, Williams led his high school football team to a state championship, and then became a stand-out cornerback with the Florida Gators between 1984...

By Kyle Munzenrieder

May 26, 2010

[
        {
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size",
          "component": "19274298",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "17482312",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18711090",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17482310",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18711090",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - Leaderboard Tower - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17482313",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        }
      ]

Jarvis Williams, a former player for both the Miami Dolphins and Florida Gators, has died at 45 of a heart attack, reports the Sun-Sentinel.

A Palatka, Florida native, Williams led his high school football team to a state championship, and then became a stand-out cornerback with the Florida Gators between 1984 and '87. The Dolphins drafted him in the second round of the '88 draft, and he played safety with the team until 1993. With the 'Fins he formed a safety tandem with fellow Gator grad Louis Oliver. Williams played his final year with the New York Giants in 1994.

"He was not only a personal friend but a terrific football player for both the Miami Dolphins and Florida Gators. He dedicated his life to helping young people and it is a real tragedy to pass away at a young age," said Dolphins Vice President Nat Moore in a statement.

One of Williams most memorable plays during college came in a 1986 game against the Miami Hurricanes where he completely flattened receiver Melvin Bratton causing him to miss a pass from Vinny Testerverde. Watch the video after the jump.

Become A Member

BEFORE YOU GO...
Can you help us continue to share our stories? Since the beginning, Miami New Times has been defined as the free, independent voice of Miami — and we'd like to keep it that way. Our members allow us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls.