National Football League

Former Lions DE Sam Williams dies

Published Apr. 25, 2013 1:00 a.m. ET

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Sam Williams, the former Detroit Lions defensive end who also played for the Rams and Falcons, has died. He was 82.

Williams' son said his father died Thursday following an illness at St. Mary Mercy Hospital in Livonia, a Detroit suburb.

Williams played for Detroit from 1960 to 1965, after a year with the Los Angeles Rams. He spent his final two NFL seasons in Atlanta.

He played on the Lions' defensive line that included Alex Karras, Roger Brown and Darris McCord.

Williams was a star player at Michigan State before heading to the NFL. He grew up in Dansville, outside Lansing.

A funeral will be held Sunday. Williams is survived by his wife, Lois, two sons and two sisters.

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