Jimmy Williams, a former football cornerback who played for the Seahawks for two seasons and was a co-special team captain in 2006, had died at the age of just 43 years. The shocking report of his passing was announced by the team on Friday.
Williams died after battling an illness as per a report from WBRZ-TV in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He was a native of Baton Rouge and had been serving as an assistant football coach and teacher at the Episcopal High School. Williams had also been a part of the 49ers.
Ever since the news of the former defensive cornerbacks’ passing broke, football fans and industry members have paid tributes to William’s departed soul. The world is shocked to see such a great player go this soon.
“The Seahawks are devastated by the loss of former Special Teams Captain Jimmy Williams. Williams played for two seasons for the Seahawks and was a member of Seattle’s Super Bowl XL team. We send our deepest condolences to the entire Williams family,” Seahawks wrote in a Tweet.
The Seahawks are devastated by the loss of former Special Teams Captain Jimmy Williams. Williams played two seasons for the Seahawks and was a member of Seattle’s Super Bowl XL team. We send our deepest condolences to the entire Williams family.
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) July 9, 2022
Photo courtesy of @gonzalesphoto pic.twitter.com/Tp7HlUXMc0
How did Jimmy Williams Die?
Jimmy Williams passed away on Friday, July 8, 2022, at a very young age of 43 years. The American Football world is shocked to hear about the tragic passing of the former cornerback. Williams had recently been struggling with a serious illness as reported by The Advocate in Baton Rouge.
He was one of the best football players in Vanderbilt history and was also named as one of the 100 best Commodore players in the past 100 years. Williams was also honored as an SEC Football Legend in 2013 and was recently serving as the teacher at the Episcopal High School.
Reportedly, Williams wasn’t critical before and died suddenly this Friday after being rushed to the local hospital where the doctors declared him dead. His funeral will take place on Saturday in Baton Rouge.
What was the cause of Jimmy William’s Death?
Jimmy Williams died a sudden death after suffering from an unannounced illness. The exact cause of his death hasn’t been revealed by his family and friends yet. Twitter users are wondering if a heart attack was behind his departure.
However, there’s no base behind the rumors. It’s possible that the illness that he had been suffering from recently led to his departure from this world. We’ll keep you updated as more information is released about the cause of Jimmy William’s death.
“The 49ers mourn the passing of alumni Jimmy Williams.
Our organization sends its condolences to his wife, Chandra, and the entire Williams family,” wrote San Francisco 49ers on Twitter.
The 49ers mourn the passing of alumni Jimmy Williams.
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) July 8, 2022
Our organization sends its condolences to his wife, Chandra, and the entire Williams family. pic.twitter.com/tvRJGpyg8i
Jimmy Williams Early Life and Football Career
Jimmy Ray Williams was born on March 10, 1979, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and prepped at the Episcopal High School there. Later, he came to Vanderbilt as one of the highest recruited players in school history. He started his career as a running back and performed brilliantly.
This made him land on the Freshman All-SEC team. In 1998, Williams started playing as a cornerback after encouragement from his coach. After his senior season, Williams attended the NFL Draft combine in Indianapolis.
He got drafted by the Buffalo Bills in 2001 with the 33rd pick of the 6th round. However, he signed with the San Francisco 49ers as a punt returner and cornerback till the 2004 season. He started playing for the Seattle Seahawks at the beginning of 2004.
In May 2008, Williams signed with Houston Texas but he wasn’t resigned the next season and became a free agent. The great cornerback played six seasons in the NFL with Seahawks, 49ers, and Texans after four years in the program.
After retiring from Football, Williams went back to Baton Rouge in 2011 and started serving in his former high school, the Episcopal High School, as the defensive coordinator and assistant athletic director while also teaching the students.
Jimmy Williams is survived by his Wife and Son
The former football cornerback Jimmy Williams is survived by his wife Chandra and their son Ace. Recently, the family was guests at football coach Clark Lea’s house, He had praised the family’ resilience in enduring “a horrible and really tough experience.”
Ace Williams, the son of Jimmy Williams, is also pursuing a career in sports where he plays both football and baseball.
Our heartfelt prayers go to the Williams family as they struggle through these tough hours. May God let the departed soul rest easy.