Al Lucas, a lineman for the Los Angeles Avengers, died Sunday afternoon after sustaining an apparent spinal cord injury while trying to make a tackle early in the Arena Football League team's game at Staples Center, officials said.
Lucas, 26, was injured on a kickoff return five minutes into the game against the New York Dragons. He was pronounced dead at California Hospital Medical Center in downtown Los Angeles after attempts to revive him at the arena and hospital failed.
He is the first player in the league's 20-year history to die during a game. A few National Football League players have died shortly after games, but Detroit Lion receiver Chuck Hughes, who suffered a heart attack in the fourth quarter of a 1971 game, is believed to be the only one to die during a game.
Avenger players and staff, as well as Dragon players, were informed of Lucas' death after the game, creating a tearful scene in the corridors outside the locker room, with players and employees leaving the arena dazed by the news.
"I just wish this was a bad dream," Avenger receiver Tony Locke said. "I want it to be over."
The 6-foot-1, 300-pound Lucas had lowered his head just as he hit ballcarrier Corey Johnson and blocker Mike Horacek. Replays appeared to show Horacek's knee hitting Lucas' helmet. Lucas fell to the ground and remained motionless.
As Avenger players knelt in prayer near their bench and about 11,000 fans looked on, paramedics attended to Lucas for 10 minutes, then immobilized him and removed him from the field. He was treated at the arena for a half hour before being taken to the hospital, a team spokesman said. "Al Lucas suffered a presumed spinal cord injury and was brought to California Hospital where attempts to revive him were unsuccessful," Dr. Luga Podesta, the team's physician, said in a statement.
Avenger owner Casey Wasserman said in a statement: "The thoughts and prayers of the entire Avenger organization are with his wife and family."
Team officials said they waited to release the information until they notified Lucas' relatives, who were not at the game. Lucas, who was married with a daughter, lived in Macon, Ga., where he coached football at Northeast High School during the off-season.
Teammates and friends were devastated by the sudden tragedy.
"You see a player on the ground, you realize that could be any of us laying there," Avenger running back Lonnie Ford said, wiping away tears. "My heart goes out to his wife and kid and brothers. I just can't explain how I feel."
