Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Syracuse star, Williams died from rare bacterial sepsis

Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Syracuse standout wide receiver Mike Williams died of a rare bacterial infection after being injured in a work-related construction accident on August 21, according to the Hillsborough County (Florida) Medical Examiner’s Office.

Williams was taken off life support on September 12 at 8:20 a.m. local time. He was 36. The cause of death was determined to be “bacterial sepsis with cerebral abscesses and necrotizing lobar pneumonia due to multiple dental caries and retained dental roots,” according to the medical examiner’s office first case summary report.

Although uncommon, the disorder has been related to poor tooth health, cavities, and infection. Williams died as a result of arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, which was also recognized as a contributing cause.

The results of the full autopsy and toxicology tests are still waiting, but records suggest a history of marijuana usage, social alcohol consumption, and regular use of Kratom, a legal herbal supplement that causes both stimulant and narcotic effects. According to the investigation, there was no evidence of foul play, and Williams died of natural causes.

Williams, who resigned from the NFL following a season with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2016, was working for contractor Exodus Electric Corp. in Tampa when heavy supplies crashed on his head at a job site, according to the article.

The next day, he was rushed to the hospital and admitted to the intensive care unit with severe hypoxic respiratory failure, cardiac arrest, and sepsis caused by several brain abscesses. Williams went into cardiac arrest on September 1 and was intubated and sedated following CPR. On September 7, he was transported to hospice, where he died five days later.

Williams, a fourth-round draft pick out of Syracuse in 2010, played with the Buccaneers from 2010 to 2013. He established a team record with 11 touchdowns in his debut season. In 2014, he was dealt to his hometown Buffalo Bills. He did not play in the 2015 season before joining the Chiefs in 2016.