The football world is mourning the tragic loss of former NFL receiver and Syracuse Orange standout, Mike Williams, who tragically passed away at the age of 36.
Reports of his untimely death were confirmed by Jon Scott of Spectrum News 1 Buffalo.
Williams’s passing comes as a shock. The circumstances surrounding his passing are equally tragic, as it has been reported that he succumbed to injuries sustained in a construction site accident, according to Scott’s sources.
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
A native of Buffalo, New York, Williams was a local hero who achieved recognition both in college and the NFL. He was drafted in the fourth round of the 2010 NFL Draft after an impressive career at Syracuse University.
In the annals of Syracuse football history, Williams left an indelible mark, ranking ninth in career receptions with 133, eighth in receiving yards with 2,044, and tied for second in receiving touchdowns with 20, alongside the legendary Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison.
During his rookie season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Williams showcased his talent and earned second place in the Offensive Rookie of the Year voting, trailing only St. Louis Rams quarterback Sam Bradford.
His rookie campaign saw him amass 65 catches for 964 yards and 11 touchdowns, setting the stage for a promising career.
However, despite signing a lucrative five-year, $39.62 million contract extension in July 2013, Williams’s NFL journey took an unexpected turn. The Buccaneers traded him to the Buffalo Bills during the subsequent offseason, following a season in which he played just six games, making 22 receptions for 216 yards and two touchdowns.
Williams’s return to Buffalo was a homecoming, bringing him back to the place where he grew up and attended college. His tenure with the Bills, however, was brief, as the team released him just before Week 17.
During his one season with the Bills, he appeared in nine games, contributing eight catches for 142 yards and one touchdown. His standout moment as a Bill occurred during a game against the Houston Texans in Week 4 of the 2014 season when he made a memorable 80-yard touchdown catch, showcasing his playmaking ability.
Williams ultimately concluded his NFL career with 223 receptions for 3,089 yards and 26 touchdowns in 63 games played.
Tragic News: Former #Bills WR Mike Williams has passed away at only 36 years old after injuries suffered during an accident while working at a construction site, per @JonScottTV
Williams had 223 receptions for 3089 yards and 26 TDs during his NFL career.
Prayers for the… pic.twitter.com/TJJOB3D21Y
— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) September 6, 2023
R.I.P.