The thing about football is it can make a man feel alive like no other sport.
Linemen have their muscles, shoulders and legs jarred on almost every play. NFL Films doesn’t have to be around to know every snap ejects grunts from 22 sets of lungs. The sudden explosions, from the defensive end barreling forward to the quarterback tiptoeing backward, pump the heart.
There’s nothing like bumps and bruises, soreness and sweat to help a guy become familiar with his body.
It’s when a young man drops dead minutes after playing a game that football begins to stir emotions and the mind.
San Francisco 49ers guard Thomas Herrion died after a preseason game Saturday night against the Broncos at Invesco Field at Mile High. His agent, Fredrick Lyles, said 49ers officials believe Herrion died of a heart attack. When the Broncos returned to the practice field Monday at the team’s headquarters in Dove Valley, Herrion was no longer an opponent, but a fallen fellow comrade.
“It’s difficult because it reminds you that it’s a tough game and you never know when it’s going to be your last play,” said Broncos linebacker Terry Pierce, who like Herrion is a native of Fort Worth, Texas. “It’s been happening at the college level or high school, people working out, people dying. You’ve got to be real with yourself about the game you’re playing.”
That was one perspective. But a tape recorder placed at the office vending machines Monday might have picked up 10 thoughts from 10 people regarding Herrion’s passing.
“It makes you appreciate what we do as football players more,” said Broncos defensive tackle Luther Elliss, who burned Herrion, a fellow Utah product, on a pass-rush stunt during the 49ers’ final touchdown drive. “When you heard the news, it was like, I’m grateful that I’m able to still play and I need to take advantage of this. Don’t lolly- gag your way through it, don’t take it for granted.”
Herrion, 23, collapsed in the Invesco Field visitors’ locker room after the team recited the Lord’s Prayer and was pronounced dead at 11:18 p.m. Saturday at a local hospital. Herrion’s body was transported Monday night from Denver to Dallas, and his funeral will be Saturday in Fort Worth. Niners owners Denise and John York and coach Mike Nolan and NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue will attend the service.
As the Broncos’ players gathered Monday in their locker room before their brief workout, many expressed condolences, or directed questions about Herrion the person, to offensive tackle Tyson Clabo. Herrion and Clabo were bookend tackles for the NFL Europe league’s Hamburg (Germany) Sea Devils this spring.
“It was weird around here today,” Clabo said. “What do you say?”
Coach Mike Shanahan, who talked with Nolan by phone, said the mood was somber around Dove Valley.
“It’s one of those situations where I think everybody’s in shock,” Shanahan said. “Obviously, the 49ers are devastated, but we as football players and coaches can put ourselves in their situation and ask, ‘What could be worse than that?’ Nothing.
“You try to walk in the shoes of his mom, and I can’t think of anything more tragic than having one of your kids pass away before you did.”
Out of respect to Herrion, the Broncos acknowledged his passing in separate positional meetings Monday. Team officials are discussing the best way to honor Herrion before their next preseason home game, Saturday night against Indianapolis.
Staff writer Mike Klis can be reached at 303-820-5440 or mklis@denverpost.com.
