Former NFL wide receiver Mike Williams dies at 36

Mike Williams/Tampa 2010
(Michael DeHoog/Sports Imagery/Getty Images file)

Former NFL wide receiver Mike Williams passed away at the age of 36, according to his agent, Hadley Engelhard. Williams died on Tuesday morning at St. Joseph's Hospital in Tampa, Florida. The news comes after Williams had been hospitalized in intensive care following an accident at a construction site in Hillsborough County that left him partially paralyzed. He had been taken off a ventilator on Thursday, as reported by the Tampa Bay Times. 

According to information from the Tampa Bay Times, Tierney Lyle, the mother of Williams' 8-year-old daughter Mya, revealed via text that he was removed from his ventilator at St. Joseph's Hospital on Thursday. Williams' agent, Hadley Engelhard, expressed, "He will be missed. He fought hard throughout his life. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family," as reported by NFL Network's Ian Rappaport.

Originally from Buffalo, New York, Williams played college football at Syracuse University. In 2010, he made a strong entrance into the NFL as a fourth-round pick with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In his rookie season, Williams caught 65 passes for 964 yards and 11 touchdowns, setting a single-season club record for any player at the time. His impressive performance earned him second place in Offensive Rookie of the Year voting. 

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers expressed their condolences in a statement, saying they were saddened by the news and sending their deepest sympathies to Williams' family and loved ones. Over his career, Williams recorded 223 catches for 3,089 yards and 26 touchdowns in 63 games, starting in 52 of them. He played four seasons with the Buccaneers and one with the Buffalo Bills in 2014. Williams was last on an NFL roster during the 2016 offseason with the Kansas City Chiefs. 

The sudden passing of Mike Williams leaves a void in the hearts of his former teammates, fans, and the organization. His legacy as a talented wide receiver will not be forgotten, and he will be remembered for his exceptional rookie season with the Buccaneers. As the football world mourns this tragedy, thoughts and prayers go out to his family during this difficult time.