The Gamecocks Mourn the Passing of Former Football Standout Willie Scott
South Carolina Athletics mourns the passing of former football standout Willie Scott, who passed away on Monday at the age of 61.
A native of Newberry, S.C., Scott lettered for the Gamecocks as a tight end from 1977-1980 and finished his career with 70 receptions for 896 yards and seven touchdowns under coach Jim Carlen. Also known as a dominant blocker, he helped clear the way for 1980 Heisman Trophy Award winner George Rogers in 1980.
He led the Gamecocks in receptions as a senior, and in his final game for the garnet and black, he tallied a career-best 109 receiving yards against Pittsburgh in the Gator Bowl.
Scott was selected 14th overall in the first round of the 1981 NFL draft by the Kansas City Chiefs, making him the third Gamecock ever to be taken in the first round. He would play five seasons with the Chiefs and three with the New England Patriots before retiring in 1988 after amassing 89 catches and 15 touchdowns.
When his playing days were over, he remained close to the games as a coach, which included stints as an assistant coach for the New England Patriots as well as a college coach at East Carolina, South Carolina State, Savannah State, and Newberry. He also coached at the high school level at Brookland-Cayce, Calhoun County, Pelion, and Saluda high schools.
He was later inducted into the South Carolina Athletics Hall of Fame in 2006 and is also a member of the SEC and state of South Carolina Athletics Hall of Fame.
