Mike Williams’ death is now under scrutiny, with the potential use of non-prescribed substances being considered a contributing factor.
FLORIDA- After receiving evidence that he may have obtained non-prescribed drugs from someone when he was hospitalized after an accident at a construction site, Tampa police are conducting an investigation into the death of former NFL player Mike Williams.
In an email sent out on Tuesday, the Tampa Police Department noted that the investigation includes “unprescribed narcotics by an outside party.” Two weeks after sustaining injuries in a construction accident that left him largely paraplegic, Williams passed away on September 12 at the age of 36 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa.
Detectives are working around the clock on this current investigation, according to the Tampa police email, which says that the department takes all claims of criminal behavior very seriously. The Tampa Bay Times was the first to report on the probe.
The office of the medical examiner in Hillsborough County is also looking into the case.
Williams had a successful collegiate career at Syracuse; thus, the Buccaneers drafted him in the fourth round in 2010. Over the course of his four years with Tampa Bay, he played in and started 52 of 54 games. As a rookie, he caught 65 passes for 964 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Williams, who is a native of Buffalo, joined his current team in 2014. In his lone season with the Bills, he had eight receptions for 142 yards and one touchdown in nine games played. In the 2016 offseason, he retired from the NFL while still on the roster of the Kansas City Chiefs.
