Arena Football Player dies of Spinal Chord Injury

Diablo · 04-10-2005, 09:07 PM

April 10, 2005

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Former NFL defensive lineman Al Lucas died Sunday from a presumed spinal cord injury sustained while trying to make a tackle for the Los Angeles Avengers during an Arena Football League game, the team said.

Lucas was taken to California Hospital and all attempts to revive him were unsuccessful, team physician Dr. Luga Podesta said in a statement.

Members of the team were prohibited from speaking to the media after the game. A call to a California Hospital spokesman was not returned.

``It is with great sadness that we confirm the passing of Al Lucas. At this time, the thoughts and prayers of the entire Avenger organization are with his wife and family,'' team owner and chief executive officer Casey Wasserman said in a statement.

The 26-year-old Lucas was injured during a first-quarter kickoff return against the New York Dragons.

Television replays showed Lucas bending down to make a tackle. The Dragons' ball carrier and a blocker tumbled over his head and back, with the blocker's leg appearing to hit Lucas in the head. Lucas did not move after falling to the ground.

The 6-foot-1, 300-pound lineman played two seasons (2000-01) for the Carolina Panthers, recording 49 1/2 tackles in 20 games. He attended Troy State from 1996-99 and won the Buck Buchanan Award his senior season as the top defensive player in Division I-AA. In 43 games at Troy State he had 255 tackles and 11 1/2 sacks.

He was selected to the Arena League's All-Rookie team in 2003 while playing for Tampa Bay.

``Al Lucas played arena football with passion and integrity. The entire AFL family extends its deepest sympathies to Al's wife and family as well as his friends, family and teammates,'' commissioner David Baker said in a statement.

Lucas was married to De-Shonda Lucas and had a daughter, Mariah.

GreenvilleTexan · 04-11-2005, 07:32 AM

Heard about it. Supposedly they have been playing the footage on ESPN, etc.
Tragic stuff. Our prayers go out to his family and friends, teammates.

ViRUs · 04-11-2005, 09:34 AM

its kind of sad that no one will hear about this because it was a arena football game. If it was the NFL it would be all over the news.

tougagasa · 04-11-2005, 09:41 AM

weird i didnt here about that

ZombieMan · 04-11-2005, 10:25 AM

I just heard about it this morning on the internet, first thing. That is horrible news.

Kable24 · 04-11-2005, 12:21 PM

I just read it a while ago myself. Very sad

04-10-2005, 09:07 PM	#1
Diablo RG3 Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: DMV Posts: 17,131	Arena Football Player dies of Spinal Chord Injury April 10, 2005 LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Former NFL defensive lineman Al Lucas died Sunday from a presumed spinal cord injury sustained while trying to make a tackle for the Los Angeles Avengers during an Arena Football League game, the team said. Lucas was taken to California Hospital and all attempts to revive him were unsuccessful, team physician Dr. Luga Podesta said in a statement. Members of the team were prohibited from speaking to the media after the game. A call to a California Hospital spokesman was not returned. ``It is with great sadness that we confirm the passing of Al Lucas. At this time, the thoughts and prayers of the entire Avenger organization are with his wife and family,'' team owner and chief executive officer Casey Wasserman said in a statement. The 26-year-old Lucas was injured during a first-quarter kickoff return against the New York Dragons. Television replays showed Lucas bending down to make a tackle. The Dragons' ball carrier and a blocker tumbled over his head and back, with the blocker's leg appearing to hit Lucas in the head. Lucas did not move after falling to the ground. The 6-foot-1, 300-pound lineman played two seasons (2000-01) for the Carolina Panthers, recording 49 1/2 tackles in 20 games. He attended Troy State from 1996-99 and won the Buck Buchanan Award his senior season as the top defensive player in Division I-AA. In 43 games at Troy State he had 255 tackles and 11 1/2 sacks. He was selected to the Arena League's All-Rookie team in 2003 while playing for Tampa Bay. ``Al Lucas played arena football with passion and integrity. The entire AFL family extends its deepest sympathies to Al's wife and family as well as his friends, family and teammates,'' commissioner David Baker said in a statement. Lucas was married to De-Shonda Lucas and had a daughter, Mariah. __________________ R.I.P Sean Taylor April 1, 1983 - November 27, 2007

04-11-2005, 09:34 AM	#3
ViRUs All for one and one for all! Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 7,304	its kind of sad that no one will hear about this because it was a arena football game. If it was the NFL it would be all over the news. __________________ Til I'm toppling from the top I'm not going to stop, I'm staying on my Monopoly board. That means I'm on top of my game and it dont stop `til my hip dont hop anymore. When you so good you cant say it, `cause it aint even cool for you to sound cocky anymore.

04-11-2005, 07:32 AM	#2
GreenvilleTexan Executive Producer Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, Texas, 50 miles northeast of Dallas Posts: 3,516	Heard about it. Supposedly they have been playing the footage on ESPN, etc. Tragic stuff. Our prayers go out to his family and friends, teammates.

04-11-2005, 09:41 AM	#4
tougagasa Banned Status Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 27	weird i didnt here about that

04-11-2005, 10:25 AM	#5
ZombieMan GRAVEYARD Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Southern Missouri Posts: 20,860	I just heard about it this morning on the internet, first thing. That is horrible news.

04-11-2005, 12:21 PM	#6
Kable24 RockyCat RULES You! Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Harrisburg, PA Posts: 2,150	I just read it a while ago myself. Very sad