Lineman dies in LV game

Ed Koch and Ron Kantowski

Monday, Aug. 6, 2001 | 11:10 a.m.

The Clark County coroner's office today was to conduct an autopsy to determine what caused an aging and possibly overweight football player to collapse and die during an indoor football game Sunday at the Santa Fe hotel.

Curtis Jones, 35, became the fifth football player on the high school through pro levels to die during a practice or a game since July 25, causing concern about training methods to get players ready for games, especially in intense heat.

Because Sunday's United States Inside Football League game was played in a climate controlled setting in the Santa Fe's ice skating arena, heat has all but been ruled out as a cause of death.

"We haven't ruled out anything as a cause, though heat does not appear to be a factor because the temperature was between 75 and 78 degrees," Clark County Coroner Ron Flud said today. "The death occurred in the work place, and it is our policy to conduct autopsies for all on-the-job deaths."

Jones, a lineman for the Utah Lionzz, collapsed while leaving the field about 7:15 p.m., following his team's 35-21 playoff loss to the Las Vegas-based Northwest Fire.

"We were in the locker room getting dressed when several players came in crying and going crazy," said Lester Johnson, a 33-year-old Fire player. "They said a guy on the other team had collapsed.

"All the Utah fans, all of their players, all of our players ... everybody was crying and screaming. They tried to revive him by pounding his chest."

Johnson said there were no medical personnel on site and that the USIFL does not require its players to take physical exams.

"To be honest, I took a physical last year. But it is not required," said Johnson, who played for the late George Allen at Long Beach State. "It's time for the league and the people playing in the league to look deeply at themselves."

Johnson said teammates called Jones "Franchise." On short-yardage situations, Utah would give the ball to Jones, who Johnson estimated was 6 feet, 5 inches and 270 pounds. Jones scored a touchdown Sunday.

In college, 13 years ago, Jones weighed a trimmer 210 pounds, according to the University of Utah media guide for 1988.

Johnson said it seemed as though it took paramedics "a half hour" to arrive at the arena. He said 60 to 100 people were on the field, praying around Jones.

American Medical Response records show that the response actually was quicker than the company's six-minute average response time.

Ambulance company records show that the call was received at 7:31:03 p.m., a paramedic unit was dispatched 14 seconds later and arrived at the Santa Fe at 7:36.26. The company's records also show that the ambulance arrived at Mountain View Hospital at 7:51.32.

Hospital spokesman Leslie Luke said Jones arrived in a state of cardiac arrest and was not breathing when he was taken into the operating room. Doctors worked on him for several minutes and pronounced him dead at 8:04 p.m., Luke said.

Attempts to reach league Commissioner Chris Boudreaux for comment today were not successful.

The league is loosely organized, featuring four Las Vegas teams and a traveling squad from Utah as well as the Los Angeles area. All games are played at the Santa Fe. Players are paid with gate receipts.

"What it is is another tragedy," Johnson said. "It's something you can't put into words."

There have been a rash of deaths in football in recent weeks. Others include:

* Rashidi Wheeler, 22, a defensive back, died from an asthma attack Friday during pre-season drills at Northwestern University.

* Travis Stowers, a 6-foot, 220-pound offensive lineman for Indianapolis' Clinton Central High School died Wednesday at Indianapolis Methodist Hospital. Stowers collapsed after six hours of practice the previous afternoon.

* Pro Bowl offensive lineman Korey Stringer of the Minnesota Vikings died two hours before Stowers from heatstroke during pre-season practice.

* Eraste Austin, a University of Florida recruit, died July 25 after collapsing July 19 during practice as a result of the heat.

Jones, born Jan. 11, 1967, played four seasons at the University of Utah, starting his senior year at tight end.

Jones was a three-time All-League performer at San Pedro (Calif.) High School. He also made All-City and captained the team his senior year. Also in high school, Jones was twice an All-League basketball player and was All-League in track and field, winning the league high jump title.

Jones, who had a brother who played football for the University of Illinois, was a physical education major at Utah.

Jones was married and had four children.

Las Vegas Sun

sports reporter Victoria Sun contributed to this report.