The NFL community is in mourning and heartbroken by the loss of one of its most celebrated wide receivers. At just 36, the former Bucs and Bills WR breathed his last in a hospital after being injured in a construction accident. Apart from the entire NFL world, grieving for him is none other than the Tampa Bay Buccaneers legend Rob Gronkowski.

Notably, the 36YO WR, who once played for Tom Brady’s Bucs, was in critical condition, fighting for his life for over two weeks. A graduate of Syracuse University, the former Bucs and Bills WR concluded his NFL career after participating in 63 games—coincidentally mirroring his age. He is leaving behind a void that can never be filled. Per Gronkowski, Mike Williams, who breathed his last on Wednesday, was a heck of an athlete.

Rob Gronkowski was a follower of Mike Williams?

On Wednesday, Rob Gronkowski opened up his heart on Instagram, offering a touching tribute that echoed the sentiments of the entire football world. He shared a screenshot of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ heartfelt memorial message, a collective mourning for the departed NFL receiver, Mike Williams. “Rip Mike. played vs you in high school and followed your career since. heck of an athlete.🙏” Although Rob Gronkowski joined the Buccaneers after Williams had already left the NFL in 2014, he cherished the opportunity to compete against him during their high school days.

The official Buccaneers Instagram account also paid tribute to their former player, Mike Williams, with a message that read, “We are saddened to hear of the untimely death of Mike Williams, which has left our organization. his former teammates and fans with heavy hearts. We send our deepest sympathies to his family and loved ones as they mourn this tragedy.”

Everyone is in disbelief at his untimely death. Initially, a friend who was there at the scene of the accident thought the wounds weren’t life-threatening. As days passed, the situation took a grim turn. What had initially appeared as manageable injuries took an ominous course when Mike’s laceration became infected. This eventually resulted in him being taken off life support and his untimely demise.

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Mike Williams in the Chiefs training camp

Mike Williams was a star in two sports at Buffalo’s Riverside High School and then later he enrolled at Syracuse University. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fourth round of the 2010 NFL Draft. With a record of 65 catches for 964 yards and 11 touchdowns in his starting 16 games, he ranked second for the Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2010.

Williams played with the Buccaneers for four seasons and then moved to his hometown team, the Buffalo Bills for one season. Later, he joined the Kansas City Chiefs in 2016 but was released from the team after four months.

In his 63 NFL games, Williams has a career record of 223 catches for 3,089 yards and 26 touchdowns. Moreover, he excelled in basketball at Riverside, making the All-Western New York teams in both sports. The New York native player was a football all-conference pick at Syracuse and had a brief basketball career there.

Mike Williams is survived by his partner, Tierney Lyle, as well as his two children, 8-year-old Mya Williams and 10-year-old son Mike Jr. The NFL community will forever hold Mike Williams in their hearts.

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