April 11, 200521 yr Lucas, 26, suffered apparent 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 pronounced dead at California Hospital after all attempts to revive him were unsuccessful, team physician Dr. Luga Podesta said in a statement. A call to a hospital spokesman was not immediately 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. Lucas, 26, was injured during a first-quarter kickoff return against the New York Dragons. Television replays showed Lucas bending down to make a tackle. As the Dragons' ball carrier and a blocker tumbled over his head and back, the blocker's leg appeared 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? tackles in 20 games. He attended Troy State from 1996-99 and was named the top defensive player in Division I-AA his senior season. "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. Several football players have died in the past 40 years following injuries incurred on the field. Most recently, University of Washington defensive back Curtis Williams died of complications from paralysis in May 2002 following a helmet-to-helmet hit during a game against Stanford nearly two years earlier.
April 11, 200521 yr So that a few hours ago. That's really gruesome. I couldn't tell from the article, but was he pronounced dead on the field?
April 11, 200521 yr I couldn't tell from the article, but was he pronounced dead on the field? 737145[/snapback] Lucas was pronounced dead at California Hospital after all attempts to revive him were unsuccessful, team physician Dr. Luga Podesta said in a statement.
April 11, 200521 yr Made my heart jump.. a friend of mine, the brother of one of my buddies, plays WR for the NY Dragons. RIP
April 11, 200521 yr I couldn't tell from the article, but was he pronounced dead on the field? 737145[/snapback] Lucas was pronounced dead at California Hospital after all attempts to revive him were unsuccessful, team physician Dr. Luga Podesta said in a statement. 737165[/snapback] Yeah, but is he dead if he can't be revived on the field. Like unofficially?
April 11, 200521 yr sad stuff RIP I'm surprised that stuff like this doesn't happen more often in football though :confused
April 11, 200521 yr Yeah, but is he dead if he can't be revived on the field. Like unofficially? 737465[/snapback] I guess you're right. But like you said, UNOFFICIALLY.
April 11, 200521 yr Yeah, but is he dead if he can't be revived on the field. Like unofficially? 737465[/snapback] I guess you're right. But like you said, UNOFFICIALLY. 737842[/snapback] What I said was dumb. If you're pronounced dead you're officially dead.
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