Former NFL player Mike Williams' death caused by rare dental-related sepsis

According to the Hillsborough County Medical Examiner's Office report, Mike Williams, a former wide receiver for Syracuse and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, died from a rare bacterial sepsis linked to poor dental health, which developed after Williams was injured at a work-related construction site in August.

According to the medical examiner’s report, on August 21, Williams was working on a construction site when he sustained a work accident when “heavy supplies landed on his head.” Williams was taken to the hospital and admitted to the ICU, where his condition worsened and he was taken off life support on September 12. Williams was 36 years old at the time of his death. 

The medical report details Williams’ ultimate cause of death was summarized as “bacterial sepsis with cerebral abscesses and necrotizing lobar pneumonia due to multiple dental caries and retained dental roots.”

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Williams’ time with the Buccaneers

Mike Williams was picked in the fourth round of the 2010 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Williams started all 16 games for the Bucs at wide receiver his rookie year and caught 65 passes for 964 yards and 11 touchdowns. 

Williams spent four seasons with the Buccaneers before being traded to the Buffalo Bills in 2014. Williams was a native of Buffalo, New York, and spent one season with the Bills.

Williams then spent a short time with the Chiefs but retired in 2016.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mike Williams death: Ex-NFL player died from rare dental sepsis