Former NFL wide receiver Mike Williams passed away at the age of 36 on Friday (September 1), following a tragic accident at a construction site. He was struck by a steel beam, sustaining a massive head injury that led to complete paralysis in his right arm and lower body.
The news of Williams’ untimely death deeply saddened the football community, with his former teammate Gerald McCoy expressing his devastation on Twitter. McCoy remembered Williams as a player with great energy who brought joy and laughter to the locker room.
“Dang man hurts my heart seeing the news of my former teammate and Buccaneers 2010 draft class brother Mike Williams,” McCoy said. “Always great energy, brought joy and laughter to the locker room and a heck of a player!! Prayers and blessings to his family!!”
Mike Williams, originally from Buffalo, New York, played college football at Syracuse University and was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fourth round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He spent four seasons with the Bucs before being traded to the Buffalo Bills in 2014. He was never able to replicate the production he had as a rookie, however, and he was released from the league after just one year in Buffalo.
Williams concluded his NFL career with 26 receptions, 3,089 yards, and 16 touchdowns. After retiring from football, he pursued a career in construction.
Mike Williams Cause Of Death Explained
The tragic accident occurred on September 1, 2023, when a steel beam fell on Williams, leading to his hospitalization. According to a GoFundMe page set up by Williams’ father, Wendell Muhammad, the ex-Tampa Bay Buccaneers wideout suffered a “massive head injury” … causing “complete paralysis in his right arm as well as his lower body from the waist down.”
Unfortunately, his condition worsened over the following days, and he never regained consciousness. Sadly, Williams’ family says his condition worsened in the ensuing days: “On Friday, Sept 1, 2023 around 9pm Mike Williams passed out. According to doctors, he suffered from severe breathing problems and had to be rushed to ICU. This time the doctors found that his diaphragm was pressing on his lungs and subsequently caused complications with his breathing. They reported that his lungs were filled with water. The doctors were able to free the diaphragm from pressing on his lungs, removing the water and allowing him to breathe a little better. Sadly, my son Mike Williams never gained consciousness. He never woke up from the night of Sept 1, 2023 from what was reported to me as of Sept 4 2023.”
To support his family with funeral expenses, a GoFundMe page was established by his father, Wendell Muhammad. The page has raised just over $1,000 as of September 6, and contributions are welcomed to assist in this difficult time.
condolences to Williams’ family and friends.
