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Mike Williams, former Syracuse and Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR, dead at 36

Originally posted on 5 GOATs | By Dustin Schutte | Last updated 9/12/23

Mike Williams, a former NFL receiver, has died. NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reported the tragic news on Tuesday morning. Williams was 36.

“Former NFL WR Mike Williams passed away this morning after a tough battle, according to his agent Hadley Engelhard of EnterSports Management,” Rapoport wrote. “‘He will be missed. He fought hard his whole life. Prayers to his family.’

“Williams was tragically injured while performing electrical work.”

According to ESPN, Williams had been hospitalized since last week after a construction accident left him partially paralyzed. He was in intensive care and had been taken off a ventilator last Thursday.

Williams spent five years in the NFL. He was selected in the fourth round of the 2010 NFL Draft out of Syracuse. He played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2010-13. The final season of his career came in 2014, suiting up for the Buffalo Bills.

Williams’ totaled 223 catches for 3,089 yards and 26 touchdowns during his professional career.

In his rookie campaign in 2010, Williams finished the season with 65 receptions for 964 yards and 11 touchdowns. He earned a spot on the PFWA All-Rookie team after the breakout year.

As a college player at Syracuse, Williams had his strongest season in 2007. He completed that year with 837 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns on 60 catches. The receiver earned second-team All-Big East honors that year. In his three years with the Orange, Williams totaled 2,044 yards and 20 touchdowns with 133 receptions.

This article first appeared on 5 GOATs and was syndicated with permission.

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