Autopsy: Football injuries contributed to ex-player’s death

Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2005 | 9:37 a.m.

SUN WIRE SERVICES

Former Pittsburgh Steelers lineman Terry Long died from a brain inflammation that resulted, in part, from repeated head injuries suffered while playing football.

Long, 45, died at UPMC Passavant Hospital on June 7, a few hours after paramedics found him unconscious at his home. An autopsy was inconclusive, but subsequent tests on tissues and fluids taken from Long's body yielded the findings released Tuesday.

Long died of an inflammation of the lining of the brain, said Joseph Dominick, chief deputy coroner in Allegheny County. A contributing factor was "chronic traumatic encephalopathy" -- also known as dementia pugilistica -- a condition most often seen among career boxers.

"He wasn't a boxer, but that's a general term that we would use to denote changes in the brain of a degenerative nature," coroner Dr. Cyril Wecht said. "They can be from one intensely traumatic injury, or they can be from repetitive and cumulative injuries, which is what we believe happened here."

He received an X-ray after the game and had an MRI exam and a CT-Scan as well.

"He has a bruised chest," coach Andy Reid said. "We've just got to see how it works out in the next day or two. When you deal with that area (the chest), you've got to take all precautionary measures.

"I knew he was hurt. It wasn't nearly as bad (Monday) night when he was playing as it was when he woke up (Tuesday) morning."

Asked who would start on Sunday against San Francisco if McNabb is unable to go, Reid wouldn't speculate. The Eagles will wait and see how McNabb does over the next few days.

To fill their roster spots, the Cardinals signed tight end Teyo Johnson and re-signed middle linebacker Lester Towns. They also re-signed tight end Andy Stokes to the practice squad and released safety Jermaine Hardy from the practice squad.

Lynch, obtained off waivers from the Minnesota Vikings last month, was the starting center Sunday in a 42-19 season-opening loss to the New York Giants after injuries to three players above him on the depth chart.

Tampa Police arrested Cox at 3:19 a.m. Tuesday at the corner of Dale Mabry Highway and Carmen Street and charged him with one misdemeanor count of DUI.

He spent more than seven hours in the Hillsborough County jail before being released at 11:32 a.m. after posting $500 bond.

The NFL last week reduced Doss' suspension for violating the league's personal conduct policy from two games to one. He will be available Sunday against Jacksonville, but coach Tony Dungy said he was not sure he'd play because of a groin injury.