NFL fans pay tribute to Jimmy Williams as former Seahawks CB passes away aged 43

Jimmy Williams, a former cornerback for the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers, passed away on Friday at the age of 43. Williams passed away, according to The Baton Rouge Advocate, from an unspecified disease. The Nashville Tennesseean reports that his alma institution Vanderbilt refuses to give further information about his passing while citing the desires of his family.

Williams excelled at Vanderbilt from 1997 to 2000 as a defensive back and return specialist. Williams, an All-SEC cornerback, averaged 23 yards per kickoff return over the course of four seasons. He is one of just three players in school history to score on both a punt and a kick return, according to the Tennessean. In 2001, he graduated from Vanderbilt with a bachelor’s degree.

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Based on fan polling, the program named Williams, who played for Vanderbilt from 1997 to 2000, as one of the 100 best Commodore players of the past 100 years in May. Williams was one of three Vanderbilt players to score on a punt and a kick return touchdown, and he was honoured as an SEC Football Legend in 2013. He has the fifth-most kickoff return yards in program history.

Williams played six seasons in the NFL with the Seahawks and 49ers after four years in the program and was selected in the sixth round of the 2001 NFL Draft. Several well-known Vanderbilt administrators discussed Williams’ influence.

Prior to converting to cornerback, Williams attended Vanderbilt as a running back. He was taken by the Bills in the sixth round of the 2001 NFL Draft, although he was never a player for Buffalo. He eventually settled in San Francisco and played there for four seasons.

Williams continued to play with the Seahawks for two seasons and served as team captain in 2005 when they lost to the Steelers in the Super Bowl XL. Over the course of a six-year NFL career, he played in 80 games, seven of which he started. He had 151 tackles, three interceptions, one sack, and 13 pass breakups. The special teams player’s average punt return of 16.8 yards in 2002 was the best in the NFL. 

“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.”, Seattle Seahawks reacted on Twitter.

NFL fans react to Jimmy Williams’ passing

One fan tweeted, “My heart is broken at the loss of Jimmy Williams. This man loved Vanderbilt more than anyone. You could feel his positivity shine through his smile. I’m grateful to have spent time with the Williams family this week and am praying for Chandra & Ace during this unimaginable time”

Here are some more tweets from fans and admirers of Jimmy Williams:

 

 

 

 

 

https://twitter.com/nashvegas__/status/1545581413805821954

 

 

 

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