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Paralyzed football player dies

SEATTLE, May 6 (UPI) -- Former University of Washington safety Curtis Williams, paralyzed from the neck down after a

helmet-to-helmet hit in a game against Stanford in October 2000, died Monday. He was 24.

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Williams died at his brother's home in Fresno, Calif., according to Washington media relations director Jim Daves.

Cause of death has not yet been announced.

"We are all devastated to hear that Curtis passed away today. This is a complete shock," said Washington Athletic Director Barbara Hedges, who is in Spokane for the Alumni Association's annual Coaches Tour golf tournament. "Our condolences go out to the members of Curtis' family and we will continue to support them in any way that we can."

Williams suffered a severe spinal cord injury which left him paralyzed from the neck down after a helmet-to-helmet hit with Stanford running back Kerry Carter in the third quarter of an Oct. 28, 2000 game at Stanford Stadium.

"Everyone in the Husky family, the coaches, the players, our staff and our fans, we are all deeply saddened by Curtis' death," said Washington Coach Rick Neuheisel, who also is in Spokane for the Coaches Tour golf tournament. "This has been a real tragedy, from that late October day until today, when he passed away.

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"Although he was confined to his wheelchair, Curtis taught all of us associated with Husky football the true meaning of the word courage. I think anyone who met or was associated with that kid, they will find it hard to ever feel sorry for themselves."

Williams had returned to the school on April 27 to watch the Huskies' annual spring game, his first trip back since the injury.

"I am grateful that he was able to come back to Washington before he passed away," Neuheisel said. "I know it really meant a lot to him to be able to see Husky Stadium again, to meet with the coaches and his former teammates."

"We asked Curtis if he wanted to go down on the field during the spring game and he told me no, but he was looking forward to coming back to campus in the fall and wanted to be back on the field for a home game," Hedges said. "We were all looking forward to that moment."

Along with recently watching the spring game, Williams attended a Seattle Mariners' game and a benefit dinner that raised $30,000 for his support fund.

In a tribute to Williams, the 2000 Washington team included his initials on their jerseys and commemorative Rose Bowl championship rings. He watched the Rose Bowl victory over Purdue from the press box.

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Williams appeared in 24 games and started every contest as a junior and senior at strong safety before suffering the injury and finished his career with 142 tackles and one interception.

Following his accident, the University of Washington established the Curtis Williams Fund to help support his long-term care and to assist with expenses over and above those covered by family, university and NCAA catastrophic injury insurance programs.

Approximately $400,000 had been raised for the Curtis Williams Fund prior to his death.

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