Ex-Buccaneers star receiver Mike Williams’ cause of death revealed

NFL

By Christian Arnold

Authorities have revealed the cause of death of former NFL wide receiver Mike Williams. 

Williams died from a rare bacterial sepsis and related complications in the days after he was removed from life support following a workplace accident in late August, the Hillsborough County Medical Examiner’s Office said, according to multiple reports. 

The former Buccaneers wideout died on Sept. 12 at 36 years old.

Williams was working for contractor Exodus Electric Corp. in Tampa when he suffered an accident that resulted in a head injury at the end of the summer. 

The initial case summary report ruled the cause of death was “bacterial sepsis with cerebral abscesses and necrotizing lobar pneumonia due to multiple dental caries and retained dental roots.”

Arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease was also listed as a contributing factor in Williams’ passing. 

The full toxicology report and autopsy are still pending. 

Williams’ next of kin said he used Kratom, a legal herbal supplement, on a daily basis according to the reports. 

There was no indication of foul play, according to the records, and it was described that Williams died of natural causes. 

Williams’ family did express concerns that he was being brought unprescribed drugs by visitors while he was in the hospital, according to the Tampa Bay Times. 

Tampa police previously opened an investigation into the nature surrounding Williams’ death, but the probe had been closed, the outlet reported. 

Williams was taken to the hospital the day after the workplace accident and was admitted into the intensive care unit with acute hypoxic respiratory failure, cardiac arrest and sepsis due to multiple brain abscesses. 

He suffered cardiac arrest on Sept. 1 and was intubated and sedated after being given CPR. 

Williams was moved to hospice on Sept. 7 and died five days later. 

Williams was selected by the Buccaneers in 2010 out of Syracuse and played there from 2010-13, recording 11 touchdowns during his rookie season. 

He was traded to his hometown Bills in 2014 and played one more season in 2016 with the Chiefs, though he did not play a regular season game for them.

He totaled 223 catches for 3,089 yards and 26 touchdowns during his NFL career.