Former University of Massachusetts standout football player Garry Pearson died Tuesday at age 46.

Pearson, was a two-time All-American running back (1981-82) and left Amherst as the UMass career leader in rushing yards (3,859 yards) and rushing touchdowns (35), marks that stood for 10 years.

For the past 15 years, Pearson, a Bristol, Conn. native, worked at the Robert F. Kennedy Children's Action Corps in Springfield with children who had lived in unstable, dangerous, or abusive environments. Pearson was named child-care worker of the year on several occasions.

He is survived by his 17-year old daughter Alexa Pearson.

Pearson's coach at UMass, Bob Pickett, died on Feb. 2.