Former NFL receiver Mike Williams’ cause of death linked to brain infection due to dental problems

TAMPA, FLORIDA: Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Williams who died on September 12, 2023, after a constriction accident had multiple health issues. 

These included a brain infection that may have originated from his poor dental hygiene, according to a report by the Hillsborough County Medical Examiner.

Dental problems led to Mike Williams' brain infection and sepsis

The report listed several factors that contributed to Williams’ death such as bacterial sepsis, cerebral abscesses, necrotizing pneumonia, and retained tooth roots, Fox News reported. 

These conditions indicated that Williams had multiple dental cavities or infections that spread to his bloodstream and brain. Dr Rajiv Kalra, a dentist with Agoka Dental, told Fox 13 that Williams may have needed some extractions that were never done.

“They’re basically saying he had cavities in his mouth, and he had teeth where the crown above the gums had broken off and all that was left is the roots that hold the teeth in place,” Kalra said.

Heart disease also contributed to Mike Williams' death 

Kalra also explained the link between dental health and heart disease which was another factor in Williams’ death.

“There is huge links between periodontal disease and heart disease and things like that... Those roots were probably infected as well as the cavities may have gotten to a point where they were in his nerve of the tooth or the center and that also spreads down into our bloodstream and could have spread from there as well.” Kalra told the publication. 

Work injury and drug use may have worsened Mike Williams' condition

Williams was working at a construction site when he was hit in the head by heavy supplies falling on him on September 1. He was admitted to a hospital the next day, where CAT scans revealed brain swelling and infections.

The report did not specify how much the injury affected his condition, but it may have aggravated his existing problems. The medical examiner, the report said, believes those may have been caused by infections in his mouth that spread through his bloodstream.

Mike Williams was a daily kratom user and had a history of marijuana use 

The report also mentioned that Williams was a daily kratom user and had a history of marijuana use. He had a medical marijuana license, but the Tampa Police Department is investigating whether there was anything criminal regarding prescription drugs he had taken around the time he went into cardiac arrest.

Between 2010 and 2014, he played 54 games for the Bucs and nine games for the Bills. The wide receiver notched 26 career touchdowns and had more than 3,000 yards. He was second in the voting for the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year Award in 2010.