Former Syracuse star and NFL wide receiver Mike Williams died as a result of a rare bacterial sepsis suffered after he was injured in a work-related construction accident earlier this year.
Williams, the 101st pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, died on Sept. 12, 2023, just days after he was seriously injured during an accident at a construction site he was working on.
- Mike Williams career stats: 223 receptions, 3,089 receiving yards, 26 touchdowns, 13.9 ypc
Williams, age 36, was left partially paralyzed and put into the intensive care unit at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa, Florida. A steel beam fell on his head, causing paralysis in his right arm and in his body from the waist down.
Once a second-team All-Big East selection at Syracuse, Williams was initially on the road to a recovery. However, his condition later declined and he was placed in a medically-induced coma. A few days after conflicting reports on his status, Williams was pronounced dead on Sept. 12 at the age of 36.
The Hillsborough County (Florida) Medical Examiner’s Office announced on Thursday that Williams died as the result of rare bacterial sepsis. In the official case summary report, the medical examiner ruled that “bacterial sepsis with cerebral abscesses and necrotizing lobar pneumonia due to multiple dental caries and retained dental roots” caused Williams’ death.
- Mike Williams college stats: 133 receptions, 2044 receiving yards, 15.4 yards per catch, 20 touchdowns in 29 career games
As noted by ESPN’s Jenna Laine, bacterial sepsis is linked to poor dental health, decay and infection. It’s also part of the reason why arteriosclerosis cardiovascular disease – build-up of cholesterol in the walls of arteries, causing obstructed blood flow – was also a contributing factor.
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Before becoming a construction worker for the contractor Exodus Electric Corp. in Tampa, Williams had stints with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs. He was a breakout rookie in 2010, recording 65 receptions for 964 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns. He was just as effective in 2012, averaging 15.8 yards per catch with 996 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns.
Williams left behind two kids, a daughter and a son.