Former NFL wide receiver Mike Williams died on September 12 in Tampa, Florida, following a construction accident, according to a case summary report released by the Hillsborough County Medical Examiner's Office. The initial reports of Williams' death were conflicting, with rumors swirling about the cause. It was initially reported that Williams had died after an accidental blow to the head at a construction site. However, days later, it was revealed that he was "fighting for his life." The medical examiner's office determined that Williams' cause of death was dental-related sepsis.

The 36-year-old athlete had sustained a work-related accident on August 21, in which heavy supplies landed on his head. He was admitted to an intensive care unit at an area hospital, where he went into cardiac arrest before being intubated and sedated. The preliminary medical examiner's report stated that his cause of death was "bacterial sepsis with cerebral abscesses and necrotizing lobar pneumonia due to multiple caries and retained tooth roots." The report also mentioned that cardiovascular disease was listed as a contributing factor to his death.

The Hillsborough County Medical Examiner's Office spokesperson, Chris Wilkerson, stated that this is the first known death attributable to dental-related sepsis in the county's records dating back to the "mid-'80s." A comprehensive autopsy report will be released later.

Mike Williams was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fourth round of the 2010 NFL Draft out of Syracuse University. He had an impressive rookie season, catching 65 passes for 964 yards and 11 touchdowns, which earned him the second place for Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year. Williams played four seasons with the Buccaneers before being traded to his hometown team, the Buffalo Bills. Throughout his NFL career, he accumulated 223 receptions for 3,089 yards and 26 touchdowns in 63 games.

The tragic death of Mike Williams highlights the importance of proper dental care and raises awareness about the potential severity of dental-related infections. The medical examiner's report serves as a reminder for athletes and the general public to prioritize their oral health to avoid complications that can have fatal consequences.