Coroner unsure of cause in player’s death

Victoria Sun

Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2001 | 10:55 a.m.

What caused 35-year-old Curtis Jones to collapse and die in his team's locker room following a United States Indoor Football League game at the Santa Fe Station hotel-casino Sunday night still is unknown.

The Clark County coroner's office autopsy on the former University of Utah tight end Monday afternoon was inconclusive.

"The cause of death is pending our toxicology and microscopic tests," Clark County Coroner Ron Flud said. "We won't have the results for two weeks to a month."

The coroner's office said Jones was 6-foot-6, 276 pounds -- a significant increase from when he was at Utah and listed in the 1988 media guide at 6-3, 210 pounds.

It is unknown if Jones had a physical exam before the season started because the league doesn't require them.

League founder Chris Boudreaux said that players are asked to take a physical only at the request of a head coach.

"They're run through the first week of practice and if this (running) isn't something they can do, they're cut," Boudreaux said. "So some of the coaches have had guys take physicals.

"As far as us requiring them to take physicals, it's pretty clear that if a player has an endurance problem, they're not going to make it through the season. If a coach sees a problem, then a player is waived until he can come back with proof of a physical."

Boudreaux did not give a specific reason for why the league does not require physicals. He added, "A physical isn't going to catch a heart problem. A physical doesn't detect heart disease, if that's what this turns out to be. As far as this guy's physical condition, the doctor told me that this would have happened to him if he were walking down the hall."

Jones is the fifth football player to die in recent weeks, sending another warning flare to the football community.

Minnesota Vikings tackle Korey Stringer died last Wednesday of heatstroke. Two hours later, Travis Stowers, an offensive lineman for Indianapolis' Clinton Central High School, also died of what is believed to be heat-related causes.

Last Friday, Northwestern defensive back Rashidi Wheeler died from an asthma attack and Eraste Austin, a University of Florida recruit, died July 25, six days after he collapsed during a workout.

"It's a tragedy," USIFL commissioner Tyrone Armstrong said "It is a deafening sound across America. "

Boudreaux said a memorial in Jones' honor is scheduled for this Sunday during the league's championship game between the North Las Vegas Express and the Northwest Fire that kicks off at 3 p.m. at the Santa Fe ice arena.

"This is a huge, huge loss," a distressed Boudreaux said. "There were no signs. He walked in there (the locker room) and then it happened.

"The physician asked his teammates and coaches 'Were there any indications this could happen?' They said 'No. He's in great shape.' "

Jones, who was an assistant coach at Granger High School in Salt Lake City, is survived by his wife, Daria, and four children.

Jones played at Utah from 1985-88. He was a three-time all-league San Pedro (Calif.) selection in high school and made the all-city team his senior year as a captain. Jones was also a two-time all-league basketball selection and won the league high jump title.

Boudreaux said all USIFL future championship trophies will be named after Jones.