Former NFL wide receiver Mike Williams has died at the age of 36, his agent Hadley Engelhard has confirmed to multiple outlets.
Williams had been hospitalized in the intensive care in Tampa, Florida, since suffering injuries while performing electrical work on a construction site two weeks ago that left him partially paralyzed, according to the Tampa Bay Times.
“He will be missed,” Engelhard said in a statement. “He fought hard his whole life. Prayers to his family.”
The upstate New York native enjoyed his best NFL season during his rookie campaign with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2010, catching 65 passes for 964 yards and 11 touchdowns. That led to a second-place finish in Offensive Rookie of the Year balloting.
Rest in Peace, Mike Williams ❤️🙏 pic.twitter.com/6ppABCvTJk
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) September 12, 2023
He finished his career with 223 catches for 3,089 yards and 26 touchdowns in 63 games across four years with the Buccaneers and one with the Buffalo Bills.
Williams played collegiately at Syracuse, joining Tampa Bay as a fourth-round pick in the 2010 NFL draft. He joined his hometown Bills in a trade for his final season in 2014, playing nine games and finishing with eight catches for 142 yards and one touchdown.
“We are saddened to hear of the untimely death of Mike Williams, which has left our organization, his former teammates and fans with heavy hearts,” the Buccaneers said in a statement. “We send our deepest sympathies to his family and loved ones as they mourn this tragedy.”
