Chet Williams, the pastor of the Auburn Tigers football program, died Sunday after drowning in an Alabama lake.
Williams, 61, went on a boat trip to a restaurant on Lake Martin, but fell into the water as he tried to catch his return trip. According to Go to WSFA-TV. The pastor was visiting a portion of the lake in Elmore County, about 45 minutes from Auburn University. (Related article: Ohio politician decides to intervene in football after brawl at rival game, threatens extradition)
Authorities recovered the pastor’s body around 7:20 p.m. Sunday.
Williams played linebacker for the Tigers from 1984 to 1986 and graduated from Auburn University with a degree in adult education. He then earned a Master of Divinity degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in 1993.
We are deeply saddened by the passing of Rev. Chet Williams, former Auburn football player and longtime team chaplain. He had a profound impact on countless people during his 26 years with our program. Brother Chet will be greatly missed 🙏
📰 https://t.co/3LpZemwvr5 pic.twitter.com/udU574xIbt
— Auburn Football (@AuburnFootball) December 16, 2024
Williams served as co-pastor at New Song Baptist Church in Mobile from 1991 to 1993 before becoming pastor of New Covenant Baptist Church in New Orleans.
He became Auburn’s team chaplain in 1999, joining then-head coach Tommy Tuberville’s staff. That same year, he was appointed Campus Director of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) and also FCA’s State Director of Urban Ministries.
The Alabama Department of Law Enforcement’s Marine Division reportedly said: investigation leading to Williams’ death.
