Former Syracuse receiver Mike Williams dead following construction accident

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Former Syracuse wide receiver Mike Williams has died at the age of 36, his agent told the media on Tuesday morning. Williams had been hospitalized in the intensive care in Tampa, Florida, since last week following a construction accident that left him partially paralyzed.

According to a GoFundMe set up by Latrina Moore, a steel beam fell on Williams at the construction site he was working at in Tampa, and he was rushed to the Intensive Care Unit after passing out. It was previously reported that Williams had died, but Michael Schwartz from 7 News WKBW in Buffalo said that Williams’ agent confirmed the former receiver had not passed away. A close friend of Williams’ told Nick Veronica of News 4 Buffalo that Williams had been placed in a medically induced coma.

Williams, a Buffalo native, played with the Orange from 2006-09, totaling 2,004 receiving yards and 20 touchdowns. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers drafted Williams in the fourth round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He went on to play five seasons in the NFL, including one with the Buffalo Bills, and finished his career in 2016.

Williams led the Buccaneers as a rookie with 65 receptions and 964 yards, including 11 touchdowns. He finished second in AP Offensive Rookie of the Year voting that season.