Bobby Williams, a nimble quarterback who led the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame to an undefeated championship season in 1949, died on May 26 at his home in Timonium, Md. He was 86.
His death was confirmed by his son Mark.
Williams became the starting quarterback as a junior in 1949. Standing 6 feet 1 and weighing 190 pounds, he had a strong, accurate arm and was adept at picking the best plays from Notre Dame’s sizable arsenal.
Under Frank Leahy, whose Irish became one of the most dominant college teams of the 1940s and early ’50s, and with the help of other star teammates like Leon Hart and Emil Sitko, Williams had a breakout season.