Former Pittsburgh Steelers lineman Terry Long committed suicide by drinking antifreeze, a revised death certificate shows, and did not die as a direct result of football-related head injuries.
The Allegheny (Pa.) County coroner ruled in September that Long, 45, who had attempted suicide before, died of meningitis. The condition, a swelling of the lining of the brain, was caused by football-related “chronic traumatic encephalopathy,” also known as “punch-drunk syndrome,” said the coroner, Dr. Cyril Wecht.
But a revised death certificate, which Wecht’s office never publicly announced, was filed Oct. 19, listing the manner of Long’s death as suicide from drinking antifreeze. The ruling was changed when outside laboratory tests on Long’s tissue and urine showed they contained ethylene glycol, the active ingredient in antifreeze, county officials said.
Joseph Dominick, chief of operations at the medical examiner’s office, said Thursday the antifreeze was what caused the swelling of the brain and the brain lining, and the football-related brain injuries were a contributing factor to the death.
The finding was first reported by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Thursday.
Long died in a hospital about five hours after he was found unresponsive in his suburban Pittsburgh home June 7.
The medical examiner felt Long’s history of brain injury was still a “significant factor” in the death and that he would be remiss in not mentioning it in the updated report, Dominick said.
“People with chronic encephalopathy suffer from depression,” said Dr. Bennet Omalu, a neurologist who worked on Long’s autopsy and is still with the medical examiner’s office. “The major depressive disorder may manifest as suicide attempts. Terry Long committed suicide due to the chronic traumatic encephalopathy due to his long-term play.”
Pro Bowl: Indianapolis Colts tackle Tarik Glenn, originally listed on the AFC roster in December but dropped within hours after being notified of his selection because of what the NFL called a computer error in the tabulation of votes, was made an alternate for the Feb. 12 game in Honolulu. He was added to the squad because of an injury to Kansas City Chiefs tackle William Roaf.
He is the eighth Colts player in the game. The other seven, all of whom were selected as starters, are quarterback Peyton Manning, running back Edgerrin James, receiver Marvin Harrison, center Jeff Saturday, defensive end Dwight Freeney, linebacker Cato June and defensive back Bob Sanders.
The eight Pro Bowl players tie a franchise record set in 1958 and matched in 1964 and 1971, when the Colts played in Baltimore.
Long snapper Mike Schneck also will play for the AFC, joining punter Brian Moorman as the only players representing the Buffalo Bills. Schneck was selected as conference’s need player by the Broncos coaching staff.
“It’s a great honor for the Bills and especially our special teams,” Schneck said. “Brian is the big reason I’m going. If Brian doesn’t make the Pro Bowl, then I don’t go either.”
The Bills didn’t have a field goal, extra point or punt blocked in 2005.
Redskins: Washington promoted Bill Lazor to quarterbacks coach. He replaces Bill Musgrave, who left the team Tuesday to become quarterbacks coach for the Atlanta Falcons.
