Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Williams died in early September after suffering an injury at a construction site and spending weeks on life support. Williams, who was once a promising rising star for the Bucs in the early-2010s, was only 36 years-old, and a coroner's report has revealed details about what led to his untimely death.
Williams was drafted by the Buccaneers back in 2010 and finished as a Rookie of the Year finalist after racking up over 1,000 yards and 11 touchdowns in his first season as a pro. He parlayed another great season into a six-year, $40 million deal and looked to be one of the cornerstones of the future in Tampa Bay.
The good times came to an abrupt end not long after that, though, as reduced production and off-field antics led to him being traded to the Buffalo Bills ahead of the 2014 season. He dropped out of the league in 2016 after a brief stint with the Kansas City Chiefs.
New details and cause of death revealed in death of former Bucs WR Mike Williams
According to ESPN's Jenna Laine, Williams died from a combination of factors that included a rare bacterial infection after suffering injuries at a work site back in late August.
'The cause of death was ruled 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 initial case summary report," Laine reported.
Arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease was also listed among the factors contributing to Williams' death, with the rare bacterial condition stemming from poor dental health. We also learned a little bit more about the timeline of events that led to his tragic death.
Williams reportedly suffered a head injury while working at a site for Exodus Electric Corp. in Tampa, but he wasn't admitted to the hospital until the day after the accident. The injury was caused by heavy supplies falling on his head, which led to Williams being admitted to the ICU with 'acute hypoxic respiratory failure, cardiac arrest and sepsis due to multiple brain abscesses', according to ESPN's report.
In a tragic twist, Williams is the second of the Bucs receiver from the 2012 season to have died before the age of 40. Vincent Jackson, who combined for 17 touchdowns with Williams that year, died back in 2021 at the age of 38.