Former Tennessee Titans kicker Rob Bironas passed away late Saturday evening after being involved in a one-car crash while appearing to head back to his home in Nashville. He was 36.
Metro Police confirmed Bironas' death to Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean early Sunday morning, noting that officials responded to reports of an accident around 11 p.m in the 800 block of Battery Lane. According to the police report, Bironas was near his home when he lost control of his SUV and ran into trees before his vehicle came to a stop upside down.
Doctors pronounced him dead on arrival when he arrived at Vanderbilt Medical Center. Metro Police spokesman Don Aaron said "there was no evidence of alcohol on the scene," per Wyatt.
The Titans released a statement on Sunday morning:
We are deeply saddened to hear the tragic news from last night about Rob Bironas. Rob made a significant impact as a player in his nine years with the team and more importantly touched many lives in the Nashville community off the field. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, Rachel, and his family during this very difficult time.
Bironas, who grew up in Louisville, played his first three years of college ball at Auburn before transferring to Georgia Southern as a senior. Undrafted in 2001, Bironas bounced around to various football leagues.
He latched on with the Green Bay Packers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Pittsburgh Steelers from 2002-2004 but was cut each time. In between failed NFL stints, Bironas played for the Charleston Swamp Foxes, Carolina Cobras and New York Dragons of the Arena Football League.
After his stint with the Dragons, Bironas found a home in Tennessee. He signed with the Titans before the 2005 season and was their primary kicker for the next nine years, cultivating a reputation as one of the NFL's most consistent legs.
After an up-and-down beginning in his first two seasons, Bironas connected on at least 80 percent of his field goals in the final seven years of his NFL career. In 2007, he made an NFL-high 35 of his 39 attempts en route to earning a Pro Bowl and All-Pro berth. In 2010, he missed only twice in 26 attempts.
The Titans, who signed Bironas to a two-year, $6.7 million contract in 2013, released him during this past offseason.
"I'm in the best shape of my life both physically and mentally, and my game is good," Bironas said in a statement after his release. "And though it is sad to leave the Titans today, I am leaving on a high note, and I look forward to what is to come."
No teams signed him after the release, though he did work out with the Lions on Tuesday, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. For his career, Bironas made 239 of 279 field goals, good for an 85.7 percentage that is seventh best in NFL history, per Pro Football Reference. His eight field goals in a game against the Houston Texans in 2007 remains the most in league history.
Bironas' family has not released a statement at this time.
Follow Tyler Conway (@tylerconway22) on Twitter.
Metro Police confirmed Bironas' death to Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean early Sunday morning, noting that officials responded to reports of an accident around 11 p.m in the 800 block of Battery Lane. According to the police report, Bironas was near his home when he lost control of his SUV and ran into trees before his vehicle came to a stop upside down.
Doctors pronounced him dead on arrival when he arrived at Vanderbilt Medical Center. Metro Police spokesman Don Aaron said "there was no evidence of alcohol on the scene," per Wyatt.
The Titans released a statement on Sunday morning:
We are deeply saddened to hear the tragic news from last night about Rob Bironas. Rob made a significant impact as a player in his nine years with the team and more importantly touched many lives in the Nashville community off the field. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, Rachel, and his family during this very difficult time.
Bironas, who grew up in Louisville, played his first three years of college ball at Auburn before transferring to Georgia Southern as a senior. Undrafted in 2001, Bironas bounced around to various football leagues.
He latched on with the Green Bay Packers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Pittsburgh Steelers from 2002-2004 but was cut each time. In between failed NFL stints, Bironas played for the Charleston Swamp Foxes, Carolina Cobras and New York Dragons of the Arena Football League.
After his stint with the Dragons, Bironas found a home in Tennessee. He signed with the Titans before the 2005 season and was their primary kicker for the next nine years, cultivating a reputation as one of the NFL's most consistent legs.
After an up-and-down beginning in his first two seasons, Bironas connected on at least 80 percent of his field goals in the final seven years of his NFL career. In 2007, he made an NFL-high 35 of his 39 attempts en route to earning a Pro Bowl and All-Pro berth. In 2010, he missed only twice in 26 attempts.
The Titans, who signed Bironas to a two-year, $6.7 million contract in 2013, released him during this past offseason.
"I'm in the best shape of my life both physically and mentally, and my game is good," Bironas said in a statement after his release. "And though it is sad to leave the Titans today, I am leaving on a high note, and I look forward to what is to come."
No teams signed him after the release, though he did work out with the Lions on Tuesday, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. For his career, Bironas made 239 of 279 field goals, good for an 85.7 percentage that is seventh best in NFL history, per Pro Football Reference. His eight field goals in a game against the Houston Texans in 2007 remains the most in league history.
Bironas' family has not released a statement at this time.
Follow Tyler Conway (@tylerconway22) on Twitter.
