Mike Williams (wide receiver, born 1984) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Mike Williams

Williams with the Seahawks in 2011
No. 88, 17, 18
Position:	Wide receiver
Personal information
Born:	(1984-01-04) January 4, 1984 (age 41) Tampa, Florida, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight:	235 lb (107 kg)
Career information
High school:	Henry B. Plant (Tampa)
College:	USC (2002–2003)
NFL Draft:	2005 / Round: 1 / Pick: 10
Career history
Detroit Lions (2005–2006) Oakland Raiders (2007) Tennessee Titans (2007) Seattle Seahawks (2010–2011) Toronto Argonauts (2013)*
Career highlights and awards
Consensus All-American (2003) First-team All-Pac-10 (2003) Second-team All-Pac-10 (2002) Pac-10 Freshman of the Year (2002)
Career NFL statistics
Receptions: 127 Receiving yards: 1,526 Receiving touchdowns: 5
Player stats at PFR

Michael Troy Williams (born January 4, 1984) is a former professional football player. He was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). Mike played college football for the USC Trojans. He was recognized as an All-American in 2003. The Detroit Lions picked him in the first round of the 2005 NFL draft. He also played for the Oakland Raiders, Tennessee Titans, and Seattle Seahawks.

Early Life and High School Sports

Mike Williams was born in Tampa, Florida. He went to Henry B. Plant High School in Tampa. There, he played both high school football and basketball for the Plant Panthers.

Football Achievements

As a sophomore, Mike caught 28 passes for 631 yards. He scored 10 touchdowns. In his junior year, he made the all-state team. He had 35 catches for 803 yards and 14 touchdowns. As a senior, Mike caught 38 passes for 789 yards. He scored 14 touchdowns that year.

Basketball Achievements

Mike was a starter on the basketball team for four years. He helped his team win over 100 games. In 2002, as a senior, he was a McDonald's All-American Finalist. He was named the District Tournament MVP. He also earned Western Conference MVP. Mike averaged 16.9 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 4.6 assists. He graduated as the school's all-time leader in blocks and rebounds.

College Career at USC

Mike Williams went to the University of Southern California (USC). He played for coach Pete Carroll's USC Trojans football team from 2002 to 2003. Other schools wanted him, but they didn't see him as a wide receiver. USC did. Mike played as a split end wide receiver. He played in all 26 games during his first two years at USC. He started 15 of those games.

Freshman Year Success

In his first year, Mike had 81 catches for 1,265 yards. He scored 14 touchdowns. These numbers set new records for freshmen at USC. They were also records for the Pacific-10 Conference. He was named the Pac-10 Freshman of the Year. He also made the All-Pac-10 second-team.

Sophomore Year Highlights

In his second and final season, Mike started all 13 games. He led the Trojans in receiving yards and touchdowns. He had 95 catches for 1,314 yards and 16 touchdowns. Mike was a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award in 2003. This award goes to the nation's best receiver. He also finished eighth in the voting for the Heisman Trophy. He earned first-team All-American honors. Mike also completed two passes for 38 yards and one touchdown in the Rose Bowl. He even blocked a field goal in that game!

College Statistics

Awards and Honors

• Second-team All-Pac-10 (2002)
• Pac-10 Freshman of the Year (2002)
• First-team All-Pac-10 (2003)
• Consensus First-team All-American (2003)
• Biletnikoff Award finalist (2003)
• Heisman Trophy finalist (2003)

Professional Football Career

Detroit Lions

Even though he didn't play for a year, Mike Williams was chosen tenth overall in the 2005 NFL Draft. The Detroit Lions picked him. He was the third wide receiver the Lions drafted in the first round in three years. Mike chose jersey number 88. This number was special because it was retired to honor Hall of Fame tight end Charlie Sanders.

In his first year (2005), Mike played in 14 games. He caught his first NFL touchdown pass in his very first game. He finished his rookie season with 29 catches for 350 yards and 1 touchdown. In 2006, he played in eight games. He made eight catches for 99 yards and one touchdown.

Oakland Raiders and Tennessee Titans

In 2007, Mike was traded to the Oakland Raiders. There, he worked again with his college position coach, Lane Kiffin. Later that year, he signed with the Tennessee Titans. This reunited him with his college running back, LenDale White.

Williams (17) and Marshawn Lynch during the Seahawks' playoff win in January 2011.

Seattle Seahawks Comeback

After not playing football for two years, Mike Williams signed with the Seattle Seahawks on April 15, 2010. This meant he was back with his college head coach, Pete Carroll. Mike became a starting player for the Seahawks. In his first game for Seattle, he had four catches for 64 yards. In Week 6, he had his best game yet with 10 catches for 123 yards. Four weeks later, he did even better with 11 catches for 145 yards.

The Seahawks gave Mike a new three-year contract. He then caught a touchdown pass in the Seahawks' playoff win against the New Orleans Saints. He also scored two touchdowns in the next playoff game. As of 2018, Mike Williams is one of only four Seahawks players to have two receiving touchdowns in a single playoff game. He is also the only receiver in Seahawks history with three receiving touchdowns in the same postseason.

In 2011, Mike had a tough season. He broke his leg and ankle. He only had 18 catches that year. He was released by the Seahawks in July 2012.

Toronto Argonauts

On May 23, 2013, Mike signed with the Toronto Argonauts in the Canadian Football League. However, he was released by the team a week later.

NFL Career Statistics

Coaching Career

After retiring from playing in 2011, Mike Williams became a coach. He coached defensive backs at a high school in Los Angeles. He was also the head coach for both football and basketball at Brentwood School. In 2014, Mike became the head coach at Locke High School in Los Angeles. In 2016, he moved to Van Nuys High School as head coach.

Later, Mike took over as head coach at Wharton High School in Tampa, Florida. He led the team to a 27–8 record over three seasons. They also made the playoffs three times. After that, Williams became the head coach at T.R. Robinson High School in South Tampa. In his first season there, he led the Knights to a district championship.