- Mike Williams died earlier this month, two weeks after a construction accident
- Police are now investigating after receiving more information about his death
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
Police are investigating the death of former NFL player Mike Williams in Tampa after receiving information that he may have been given non-prescription drugs by someone while hospitalized following a construction site accident.
Tampa police said in an email Tuesday that the investigation involves “non-prescribed narcotics from a third party.”
Williams died on September 12 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa at the age of 36, two weeks after he was injured in a construction accident that left him partially paralyzed.
It was initially widely reported that he had died in hospital, before his family revealed that despite being taken off his life support machine, he remained responsive.
A week later, his death was confirmed by his daughter’s mother.
Former NFL wide receiver Mike Williams died earlier this month at the age of 36
Williams, pictured at the 2014 HOF Game, had an accident at a construction site
Williams was reportedly hit in the head with a beam while doing electrical work before being taken to hospital – and his death is now being investigated by police
An email from the Tampa Police Department on Tuesday read: “We take all allegations of criminal activity seriously, and detectives are working tirelessly on this active investigation.”
The investigation was first reported by the Tampa Bay Times.
The Hillsborough County Medical Examiner’s office is also investigating the death.
Williams was a fourth-round draft pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2010 after a standout college career at Syracuse. He had 65 receptions for 964 yards and 11 touchdowns as a rookie and started 52 of the 54 games he played in in four seasons with Tampa Bay.
The Buffalo native was traded to his hometown team in 2014. He played nine games and finished with eight catches for 142 yards and one touchdown in his lone season with the Bills.
He finished his career on the Kansas City Chiefs roster during the 2016 offseason.