Crash Claimed Kevin Williams

Former USC receiver Kevin Williams died Thursday in the Cajon Pass train crash. He was 38.

Williams, whose 25 career touchdown catches are still a USC record, worked as a brakeman on the freight train and apparently died when he jumped as the train crashed down a steep downgrade.

“Kevin and I go way back to our schoolboy days, running track and playing football together,” said Charles White, who played with Williams at San Fernando High and at USC. “We were great friends. I have a bunch of great memories of Kevin, and I’ll hold those with me forever.”

Said USC Coach John Robinson: “Kevin was an outstanding football player and a great guy.”

From 1977 to 1980 at USC, Williams caught 71 passes for 1,358 yards and still holds NCAA records for highest percentage of passes caught for touchdowns in a career (35.3%) and a season (58.8% in 1978).

Williams also was the leadoff runner on three consecutive NCAA champion 400-meter relay teams and was a member of the Trojans’ then-world record team that ran 38.69 seconds in 1978.

At San Fernando, Williams was the 1975 City tri-player of the year with teammates Kenny Moore and White and was a Parade All-American. As a junior, he was the state 100-meters champion.