Al Lucas
From AP/Yahoo!:
Avengers defensive lineman Al Lucas died Sunday from a presumed spinal cord injury sustained while trying to make a tackle in Los Angeles' 66-35 victory over the New York Dragons.
Lucas was injured on a first-quarter kickoff return and taken to California Hospital. All attempts to revive him were unsuccessful, team physician Dr. Luga Podesta said in a statement....
Also from AP/Yahoo!:
Teammates gathered at the Los Angeles Avengers practice facility to remember lineman Al "Big Luke" Lucas and reflect on the team's future without him.
Lucas didn't get up after making a tackle Sunday and the 6-foot-1, 300-pounder was taken from the field unconscious on a stretcher. The 26-year-old Lucas later was pronounced dead at California Hospital Medical Center from a presumed spinal cord injury.
Lucas' Arena Football League teammates didn't learn of his death until after their 66-35 win over the New York Dragons.
"We kind of expected that Al was in paralysis or still unconscious and that we'd go to the hospital and pray for him there, but we never expected to hear coach (Ed Hodgkiss) say that Al was pronounced dead," teammate Greg Hopkins said Monday. "It's going to be tough, there's no doubt about that."
Players and team officials said Lucas was a gentle giant with a sense of humor — a huge man who had tremendous religious faith and was a leader both on and off the field.
Lucas, who had a 1-year-old daughter with his wife, De'Shonda, participated in a weekly Bible study the team offered, rarely missed a practice and never missed a game, Hodgkiss said....
Lucas was fatally injured during a first-quarter kickoff return. Television replays showed him 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 AFL Players Association was establishing a trust fund for Lucas' family, said AFL commissioner David Baker.
Lucas was well-known in Macon, Ga., where he was born and lived. His father is state Rep. David Lucas, and his mother, Elaine, is on the Macon City Council. His younger brother Lenny plays for the Macon Knights in AFL's minor league....
Presumably this will soon be deleted, but here is some of the text from Al Lucas' biography at the L.A. Avengers web site:
PROFILE: Al Lucas, who won the ArenaBowl as a rookie with the Tampa Bay Storm in 2003 and has two years of NFL experience, returns for his second year as the cornerstone of the Avenger frontline. Last season, he played in all 16 games and led all Avenger offensive/defensive linemen with 18.5 tackles. Lucas also had three quarterback sacks, three fumble recoveries (one for a touchdown), two batted down passes, a forced fumble and a safety in his first year with the Avengers. After displaying tremendous ability as an All-Rookie performer in 2003, he was the most sought after AFL free agents before signing a three-year deal with the Avengers on Oct. 27, 2003. Lucas played in 13 games for Tampa Bay in 2003, recording 19.5 tackles, three for losses, 1.5 sacks, a blocked kick and a safety. He helped lead the Storm to a 12-4 record and a 43-29 victory over Arizona in ArenaBowl XVII. Lucas is under contract with Los Angeles through the 2006 season.
NFL: Lucas played in 20 games for the Carolina Panthers over the course of the 2000 and 2001 NFL seasons, totaling 49.5 tackles, three "quarterback hurries," two batted down passes, a forced fumble and a sack. He was selected by the Frankfurt Galaxy with the fourth overall pick in the 2003 NFL Europe free agent draft, but chose instead to begin his AFL career with the Tampa Bay Storm.
COLLEGE: Lucas was a collegiate standout at Troy (Ala.) State University. As a senior in 1999, he won the "Buck Buchanan Award," which is given to the nation's most outstanding NCAA Division I-AA defensive player. Lucas also earned unanimous All-America and All-Southland Football League first-team honors for the Trojans after making 126 tackles (20 for losses), 15 "quarterback hurries," four sacks and two forced fumbles. In his 43-game career at Troy State, he finished with 255 tackles (36 for losses), 25 quarterback hurries and 11.5 sacks. In addition to his exploits on defense, Lucas was used as a short-yardage running back in his final two seasons with the Trojans and scored seven touchdowns.
HIGH SCHOOL: Lucas attended Northeast High School (Macon, Ga.), where he set a school record with a 440-pound bench press.
PERSONAL: Born in Macon, Ga. … nickname is "Big Luke" … earned degree in criminal justice from Troy State … is an assistant football coach at Northeast High School (Macon, Ga.).
The following appears at the Troy Trojans website:
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.
"Al was always a person who was above reproach in everything he did, as a student, as an athlete and as a human being," Troy coach Larry Blakeney said. "He was a solid citizen and a solid player, as evidenced by the Buck Buchanan Award and his selection as an All-American.
"Al came into the Troy family, but he did not come alone. He brought his brother, Lenny, as well as his parents, David and Elaine, and they have remained close to the Troy program. We are all hurting for them right now. This is a terrible tragedy."
In 43 games at Troy State he had 255 tackles and 11½ sacks. He was selected to the Arena League's All-Rookie team in 2003 while playing for Tampa Bay. He was a two-time All-Southland Conference pick and was an AP and Walter Camp All-American in 1999.
And, from the New York Dragons:
Dragons QB Aaron Garcia shared the following sentiments: "Today's events give us a lot of perspective. Our thoughts and prayers are the Lucas family and the Avengers family."
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