Despite earlier reports suggesting former NFL star Mike Williams had died, it has now been confirmed that the 36-year-old remains on life support in a Tampa, Florida hospital.
The misinformation had spread rapidly, but recent details reveal that the ex-wide receiver is still in critical condition.
His wife, Tierney Lyle, visited him at St Joseph’s Hospital and reported that when they got in, he was asleep but woke up when he heard their voices.
A GoFundMe page set up by Williams’ father, Wendell Muhammed, described that a steel beam reportedly fell on Williams, causing a severe head injury, swelling in his brain, spinal cord, paralysis in his right arm, and loss of mobility below the waist.
Williams, a native of Buffalo, had a notable career in football. He began his journey at Syracuse University, where he made an impact as a true freshman in 2006, leading the team with 461 receiving yards.
Williams’s talent was evident and he was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fourth round of the 2010 NFL Draft.
In his rookie season, he made an immediate impact, leading the team with 964 receiving yards and scoring 11 touchdowns.
His career saw ups and downs, including a significant contract extension with the Buccaneers in 2013. However, he played only six games that year before being traded to the Buffalo Bills, his hometown team, where he spent one season.
In 2015, Williams was expected to face a suspension for the first six games of the season but remained a free agent. He later joined the Kansas City Chiefs practice squad in 2016.
In his professional career, he achieved 223 receptions for 3,089 yards and 26 touchdowns.
