Report: Patriots Announce Former Tight End Has Passed Away

Former New England Patriots tight end Willie Scott passed away and the team released a statement. The former South Carolina football star and first-round NFL pick and Newberry native died late Monday at 61. Scott was dealing with heart issues for a long time. He needed a heart and kidney transplant.

Scott played high school ball at Newberry and then joined USC in the late 1970s and early 80s. The legend led the Gamecocks in receptions in his senior season in 1980 and had a school-record of 109 yards in the 1980 Gator Bowl.

Patriots tight end passed away after a lucrative career

History shows that Scott and Heisman Trophy winner George Rogers were first-round picks in the 1982 NFL Draft. The former Patriot was selected with the 14^th overall pick by the Kansas City Chiefs and was the third former Gamecock to be selected in the first round. Rogers was No.1 for the New Orleans Saints.

Things looked a lot different in 1981. In 2013, Scott shared details of his first year in the NFL. He was attending class at USC when Kansas City contacted him during lunch. They literally told him they were going to select him.

By the time Scott returned from his class, the Chiefs selected him. He had to fly and meet the team.  What happened next? He had a presentation to do in his class.

“The only reason I agreed to come was because I had a big test and presentation on the next day at Dent Middle School,” Scott said. “I said y’all need to have me back by 12 tomorrow and I left Kansas City at 6 that morning and came back to Columbia.”

Scott played with the Chiefs until 1985 and signed with the Patriots in 1986. He retired in 1988. The legend finished his career with 89 catches for 766 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Scott coached at different levels, including New England Patriots, East Carolina, South Carolina State, Savannah State, and Newberry College. He coached at Brookland-Cayce, Calhoun County, Pelion and Saluda High schools. Scott was a member of many halls of game, including South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame,  Southeastern Conference Hall of Fame and the state’s South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame.