Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Buffalo Bills wide receiver, Mike Williams, has tragically passed away following a life-threatening injury sustained at a construction site.
At the age of 36, he was removed from life support on Thursday evening at 4 PM, with his agent confirming his passing earlier this morning. Hadley Engelhardt, the head of Inter Sports Management, officially confirmed the former NFL star's death, stating, "His absence will be deeply felt. He faced numerous challenges throughout his life. Our thoughts are with his family."
Mike Williams suffered injuries during an accident while working at a construction site and was subsequently taken off life support at St. Joseph's Hospital in Florida's ICU.
How did Mike Williams pass away?
Mike Williams was a former football player who first joined the NFL with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2010.
The news of his passing was first reported on September 5, 2023. However, the next day, the President and CEO of Enter Sports Management, Hadley Engelhard, told Spectrum News that the former athlete "is still in the hospital, battling the consequences of an accident."
Unfortunately, Williams succumbed to his injuries on Tuesday, September 12, 2023.
According to NFL reporter Ian Rapoport, Mike Williams, a former NFL wide receiver, passed away this morning after a tough battle. He said, "He will be remembered. He faced adversity throughout his life. Thoughts and prayers to his family."
Williams had been seriously injured during an accident at a construction site.
Mike Williams' Troubled College Football Career
In 2006, during his freshman year at Syracuse, Mike Williams scored four touchdowns in just 10 games. In his second season with the team, he continued to excel, making 10 touchdowns in 12 games. However, he faced suspension due to academic reasons in 2008.
During the 2009 season, he managed to score six touchdowns in seven matches. Unfortunately, he had to leave the team after violating team rules and being involved in a car accident with teammates.
About Mike Williams
Michael Anthony Williams (May 18, 1987 - September 12, 2023) was an American professional football player who played as a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL) for five seasons. He played college football for the Syracuse Orange and was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fourth round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He played in the NFL for the Buffalo Bills and the Kansas City Chiefs.
Early Years Williams attended Riverside Institute of Technology for his education. In his senior year, he had 970 receiving yards, 15 touchdowns, 35 tackles on defense, and two interceptions.
College Career In 2006, as a true freshman at Syracuse, Williams made 24 receptions for 461 yards and four touchdowns in 10 games. In his sophomore year in 2007, Williams was selected to the All-Big East Second Team. He finished the season with 837 receiving yards, 60 receptions, and a school-record of 12 touchdowns in 12 games.
In June 2008, He was suspended from the 2008 season due to academic reasons.
On November 3, 2009, Williams left the team after being involved in a car accident with teammates Anton Bell, Andrew Tiller, and Torrell Ball. He finished the 2009 season with 746 yards, 49 receptions, and six touchdowns in seven games.
Professional Career
Tampa Bay Buccaneers In the 2010 NFL Draft, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Williams in the fourth round (101st overall pick). He signed a four-year contract with the team on June 4, 2010.
On September 12, 2010, Williams made his NFL debut against the Cleveland Browns, catching five receptions for 30 yards and one touchdown. In his rookie season, he became the first Buccaneers rookie to score touchdowns in back-to-back games since 2005. On October 31, 2010, he set a career record with his first 100-yard receiving game against the Arizona Cardinals, totaling 105 yards on four receptions and one touchdown.
Williams started all 16 games as a rookie and made 65 receptions for 964 yards and 11 touchdowns. His 11 touchdowns set a new franchise record for the Buccaneers. After his rookie season, Williams was voted second in the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year balloting and was a finalist for the Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year. He was also named to the Sporting News NFL All-Rookie Team and the Pro Football Weekly/Pro Football Writers Association All-Rookie Team. In 2010, he led all NFL rookies in yards (964), receptions (65), and touchdowns (11).
In 2011, Williams had 771 receiving yards on 68 catches. He ended his career-high season in 2012 with 996 receiving yards.
On July 24, 2013, it was reported that Williams had agreed to a new six-year, $40.25 million contract with the Buccaneers, which would keep him in Tampa Bay through the 2018 season. On October 28, the Bucs announced that Williams had been placed on injured reserve, ending his season, and leaving the Buccaneers without one of their starting wideouts for the remainder of the season. Williams struggled with a hamstring injury for several weeks and finished the season with 22 catches and two touchdowns on 216 yards.
Buffalo Bills On April 4, 2014, after just one season into the contract extension with the Buccaneers, Williams was traded to his hometown team, the Buffalo Bills, in exchange for a sixth-round draft pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. During a Week 4 game against the Houston Texans, Williams made an 80-yard touchdown catch from EJ Manuel, which became his only touchdown of the season.
On October 13, 2014, it was reported that Williams had requested a trade from the Bills. Williams was placed on the Injured/Reserve list on December 8, 2014, with the designation to return. During the waiver process, he became an unrestricted free agent and was released from the Bills on the following day. On December 22, 2014, Williams cleared his physical and was released by the Bills.
Williams was suspended for the first six weeks of the 2015 season by the NFL on September 8, 2015, for undisclosed reasons.
Kansas City Chiefs On April 25, 2016, Williams signed with the Kansas City Chiefs. On August 25, 2016, Williams was released by the Chiefs.
William's family receives thoughts and prayers. Many NFL fans have shown support for Mike Williams' family after his untimely death, using the platform Twitter.