Dental-Related Sepsis Claims the Life of Former NFL Player Mike Williams, Confirms Medical Examiner

The initial case summary released by the Hillsborough County Medical Examiners Office has determined that former NFL wide receiver Mike Williams died as a result of dental-related sepsis. Williams passed away on September 12 in Tampa, Florida, following a construction accident. The 36-year-old had sustained a work-related accident on August 21, where heavy supplies landed on his head. These details were previously reported by CNN.

He was admitted to the intensive care unit at a local hospital after experiencing cardiac arrest and being intubated and sedated, according to the report.

The preliminary medical examiners report listed his cause of death as "bacterial sepsis with cerebral abscesses and necrotizing labor pneumonia due to multiple caries and retained tooth roots." A detailed autopsy report will be released at a later date, as stated by the medical examiners office.

Williams cause of death was determined to be natural, with cardiovascular disease listed as a contributing factor. According to an email from Hillsborough County Medical Examiners Office spokesperson Chris Wilkerson, this is the first known death related to dental-related sepsis in the county since the mid-1980s.

Williams, a Buffalo, New York native, was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fourth round of the 2010 NFL Draft after his college career at Syracuse University. In his rookie season, he made an immediate impact by catching 65 passes for 964 yards and 11 touchdowns, earning him second place in the Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year voting. He started all 16 games for the Buccaneers in his first year. After four seasons with Tampa Bay, Williams was traded to the Buffalo Bills, where he played for one season.

Williams had 223 receptions for 3,089 yards and 26 touchdowns in 63 NFL games across his career.

CNNs Wayne Sterling contributed to this report.