tommccabe Posted April 11, 2005 Share Posted April 11, 2005 Arena Football player dies of presumed spinal cord injury Associated Press LOS ANGELES - 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. 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. 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YJF Posted April 11, 2005 Share Posted April 11, 2005 That's a horrible story. Football is such a dangerous sport where your life is literally on the line every single play. I feel bad for Lucas and his family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomShane Posted April 11, 2005 Share Posted April 11, 2005 God Bless. Not to sound flip, but you wonder how this kind of thing doesn't happen more often than it does. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gg Posted April 11, 2005 Share Posted April 11, 2005 just so terribly sad. My thoughts are with his family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Gun Of Bavaria Posted April 11, 2005 Share Posted April 11, 2005 Jesus that is so sad. That type of injury possibility is always there with football but I'm surpised as Tom said, that it hasn't happened sooner in Arena Football. How tragic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
124 Posted April 11, 2005 Share Posted April 11, 2005 Such a horrible story. It just goes to show you how violent this sport really can be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Verde Posted April 11, 2005 Share Posted April 11, 2005 I just saw the replay. Awful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kentucky Jet Posted April 11, 2005 Share Posted April 11, 2005 May he rest in peace! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PETROCK Posted April 11, 2005 Share Posted April 11, 2005 That sucks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boozer76 Posted April 11, 2005 Share Posted April 11, 2005 Having not seen the replay, did this happebn because of the wall they use, or was it just a freak accident in the middle of the field. I always wondered how nobody has snapped in 2 by being hit into the wall. May he rest in peace. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joewilly Posted April 11, 2005 Share Posted April 11, 2005 so sad....... 26yrs old & leaves behind a wife & little girl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
124 Posted April 11, 2005 Share Posted April 11, 2005 Having not seen the replay, did this happebn because of the wall they use, or was it just a freak accident in the middle of the field. I always wondered how nobody has snapped in 2 by being hit into the wall. May he rest in peace. Middle of the field on a special teams play, he tried making the tackle and 2 guys just landed on him basically. Such a sad story. Leaves behind a wife and daughter and he was only 26, former Carolina Panther had 49 1/2 tackles a forced fumble and a sack in 01-02 for them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jetdawg Posted April 11, 2005 Share Posted April 11, 2005 am just glad I didn't see it, would have been too much of an experience! one D. Byrd is enough fah me, not to mention the jack tatum hit! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jets28 Posted April 12, 2005 Share Posted April 12, 2005 God Bless his family and friends. May his soul be blessed too. Truly tragic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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