Editor's Note: The previous version of this story indicated that Williams had died, according to a report from Spectrum News. However, additional information revealed that Williams is still alive and currently on life support.
Just days before the start of the 2023 NFL season, the football world is now praying for former NFL wide receiver Mike Williams, who is on life support.
Jon Scott with Spectrum News 1 in Buffalo tweeted on the evening of Tuesday, September 5 that Williams passed away due to injuries suffered in an accident while working on a construction site. A GoFundMe page set up by Williams' mother shared that the former NFL wide receiver was struck in the head by a steel beam while working on September 1, and that he had passed away due to the injuries suffered in the collision. The incident caused Williams to be paralyzed from the waist down, and his condition worsened over the following days leading up to his unfortunate passing.
Multiple sources have confirmed to me that former Syracuse and #Bills WR Mike Williams has passed away following injuries suffered during an accident while working at a construction site.
The Buffalo native was 36 years old.
— Jon Scott (@JonScottTV) September 6, 2023
"Dang man hurts my heart seeing the news of my former teammate and Buccaneers 2010 draft class brother Mike Williams," Former teammate Gerald McCoy shared on X. "Always great energy, brought joy and laughter to the locker room and a heck of a player!! Prayers and blessings to his family!!"
Scott later recanted his report, stating that Williams was currently on life support.
Mike Williams is in Florida hospital fighting his for life, according to agent Hadley Engelhard, after suffering injuries during an accident while working at a construction site. Tuesday night, I incorrectly reported his passing after speaking w/multiple people close to Williams. https://t.co/5cMBXEI3nk
— Jon Scott (@JonScottTV) September 7, 2023
Williams was a fourth-round pick out of Syracuse in the 2010 NFL Draft, getting picked up by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He played his first four seasons with the NFC South franchise before being traded to his hometown team in the Buffalo Bills in 2014. After not being signed in the 2015 season, Williams was picked up by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2016, but did not see any game action and was cut prior to the start of the regular season.
The former NFL wide receiver had a breakout rookie season in Tampa Bay, catching 11 touchdowns with 964 yards on 65 catches, leading to him finishing second in Rookie of the Year honors behind St. Louis Rams quarterback Sam Bradford. He finished his NFL career with 223 receptions for 3,089 yards and 26 touchdowns.
