Argos, arena league mourn death of receiver Chandler Williams

Miami, FL, United States (4E Sports) – The Tampa Bay Storm of the Arena Football League (AFL) have expressed deep sadness over the sudden passing of their receiver Chandler Williams, who died while playing flag football.

“We are shocked and saddened to hear about the passing of Chandler,” Tampa Bay Storm team president Derrick Brooks said. “Our heart and prayers go out to his fiancée Vanitia Harrigan, daughter Tori Williams and the rest of his family.”

According to reports, the 27-year old Williams collapsed while playing in a local flag football tournament in South Florida.

The AFL has not yet released a cause of death, but local reports said Williams died of natural causes.

Williams caught 83 passes for 996 yards and 17 touchdowns, while leading the AFL with a 23.0 kickoff return average as a rookie with the Storm last season.

The Toronto Argonauts, Williams’ former team in the Canadian Football League, also expressed grief over his death.

“The Toronto Argonauts Football Club would like send its deepest sympathies to the family and loved ones of former receiver Chandler Williams,” Argos spokesperson Eric Holmes said in a statement.

“He is remembered as a very positive young man who was well liked in the locker room. The entire organization is saddened to learn of his sudden passing,” Holmes added.

Williams spent five years in the NFL before signing with the Argos last season. The Minnesota Vikings drafted him out of Florida International in 2007. He also played with the Atlanta Falcons, Kansas City Chiefs and Miami Dolphins.

Williams joined the Argonauts for training camp in 2012 after signing as a CFL free agent on June 6, 2012. He spent four weeks on the club’s practice roster and was activated for seven regular season games.

Wearing No. 14, Williams caught four passes for 88 yards and returned eight kickoffs for 223 yards while paired with Chad Owens as a kickoff He was released by the club on October 4, 2012.

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