Ex-NFL Kicker Killed in Car Crash at Age 36

Former Tennessee Titans kicker Rob Bironas died last night after a car accident near his home. Metro Nashville Police said Bironas, 36, lost control on a curve in his 2009 GMC Yukon Denali and crashed after 11pm less than a mile from home. Police said in a statement that his SUV was speeding when it went off the road and hit a line of trees before coming to a stop upside down in a culvert. Bironas was taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center where he was pronounced dead. Police said there was no evidence of alcohol or drugs at the scene.

The Titans released Bironas in March after nine seasons. The Tennessean reported Bironas had worked out earlier this week for the Detroit Lions and for Tampa Bay during the offseason. Bironas married Rachel Bradshaw, daughter of Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Terry Bradshaw, in June. Police spokesman Don Aaron said a police chaplain was with her after the crash. A post on his verified Twitter account, @RobBironas, stated this morning: "It's w/ heavy hearts that we confirm the passing RB # 2 We appreciate your respect for the family's privacy and your prayers at this time." Bironas was the fourth most-accurate kicker in NFL history, connecting on 85.7% of his kicks (239 of 279). He finished as the Titans' second all-time leading scorer with 1,032 points, and set a franchise record scoring triple digits in seven straight seasons. (More Rob Bironas stories.)