Shane Dronett reached the Super Bowl with Atlanta in 1998. (Ed Reinke/Associated Press)The death of former NFL defensive lineman Shane Dronett has been ruled a suicide.
Ted Bailey, chief forensics investigator for the Gwinnett County medical examiner, concluded that Dronett took his own life, but provided no further details.
Dronett, 38, was found dead Wednesday at his Atlanta-area home after police were summoned in response to a possible suicide.
"My prayers go out for [wife] Chris and her two daughters," said Dan Reeves, Dronett's former head coach with the Denver Broncos and Atlanta Falcons. "You hate to lose anybody at any time, but when your kids are high school age or younger it makes it tough and it is tough for Chris."
'He was a really good player'
Dronett was drafted out of Texas in the second round (54th overall) by Denver in 1996, and racked up 317 tackles, 44 sacks and three interceptions in 139 NFL games with the Broncos, Atlanta Falcons and Detroit Lions before retiring as an active player in 2002.
He competed in Super Bowl XXXIII with the Falcons, losing 34-19 to the Broncos.
"He was an integral part of our football team," Reeves said. "He was really a good player.
"He gave us a lot of depth there. He was a happy-go-lucky guy.
"He was fun to be around, was always smiling, and the type of player you look for on a football team."
"The entire Atlanta Falcons family is saddened by the news of Shane Dronett's passing," Falcons owner Arthur Blank said Thursday in a statement. "Our deepest condolences are with his family during this difficult time."
Funeral services are pending.
With files from the Associated Press
