NFL

Coroner: 49ers' Herrion had heart disease

By wire services
Published September 7, 2005

SANTA CLARA, Calif. - San Francisco 49ers offensive lineman Thomas Herrion had heart disease and evidence of previous heart trouble when he collapsed and died after a preseason game last month, an official in the Denver County coroner's office said Tuesday.

The coroner's findings confirmed the beliefs of Herrion's family and friends, who were certain drugs played no role in Herrion's death Aug. 20. Herrion's heart condition was caused by factors that are often nearly undetectable, though fairly rare in a 23-year-old athlete in good physical condition.

"It really squashes all the speculation regarding his death," said Frederick Lyles, Herrion's agent. "They appear to be very thorough in their analysis. Hopefully, now people really get off the idea that these guys are overweight, or that drugs or steroids were involved."

Herrion had ischemic heart disease, with significant blockage in his right coronary artery that caused the death of heart muscle, according to Amy Martin, a forensic pathologist and deputy coroner in Denver. Herrion's heart was slightly enlarged, a condition that could be related to anything from heart disease and high blood pressure to heredity.

Martin also said the autopsy revealed scar tissue from a recent episode in which blood was restricted to his heart - but Herrion probably didn't even realize it.

Jerry Rice probably won't get the chance to sign a one-day contract and retire with the 49ers - not this season, anyway.

The NFL's career touchdowns leader left the Broncos on Monday, announcing his intention to retire after 20 seasons. He spent his first 16 years with the 49ers, winning three Super Bowl rings and becoming the career leader in every significant receiving category.

Rice also told reporters that retiring with the 49ers was "the next step" in his departure. But because Rice waited to make his retirement decision until after final NFL roster cutdowns, the 49ers would have to release a player from their 53-man roster to sign Rice to a one-day contract - a ceremonial gesture extended to several players in recent years.

When asked if the NFL might make an exception in Rice's case, 49ers coach Mike Nolan scoffed.

"It's not like the NFL to make an exception for anyone, so I don't know that they would," said Nolan. "We haven't talked about petitioning anything at this point. We want to respect Jerry Rice and anything that might be his wishes, but at the same time, we're in the process of putting a football team together. We don't want to compromise anything on the team."

An NFL spokesman didn't immediately return a call seeking comment, but the league has said no special privileges will be granted for one-day contracts.

BRONCOS: Quarterback Kliff Kingsbury was signed to the practice squad.

BILLS: The team changed long snappers, signing Mike Schneck and releasing Jon Dorenbos.

49ERS: Fullback Chris Hetherington was signed and guard Tony Wragge was released.

GIANTS: Eli Manning participated in his first full practice, more than two weeks after suffering an elbow sprain on his throwing arm.

LIONS: Backup quarterback Jeff Garcia won't need surgery on his broken left leg. He is expected to be out six to eight weeks and the team has no immediate plans to sign another quarterback.

PACKERS: Tight end Donald Lee was signed and tight end Ben Steele and fullback Nick Luchey were released. Fullback Vonta Leach was promoted from the practice squad.

PANTHERS: The North Carolina Court of Appeals ruled former cornerback Michael Swift, whose broken ankle in 1999 ended his pro career, should receive workers' compensation payments totaling about $167,440 and $30,000 in severence pay.

RAVENS: Cornerback Samari Rolle was fined one game check by the league for violating its personal conduct policy. Rolle accepted a plea bargain from Tennessee prosecutors in April to settle a domestic violence charge involving his wife.

SAINTS: Season ticket holders will have first choice of seats for the team's game rescheduled for Giants Stadium on Sept. 19. Saints season ticket holders and others who had already bought tickets for the game originally scheduled for the storm-damaged Louisiana Superdome on Sept. 18 will be able to buy tickets for the rescheduled game beginning Thursday. Giants ticket holders will be able to buy tickets the same day.

SEAHAWKS: Defensive coordinator Ray Rhodes will not be with the team for Sunday's regular season opener at Jacksonville after being hospitalized for dizziness.

STEELERS: Running back Jerome Bettis won't play in Sunday's season opener against Tennessee because of the strained right calf that kept him out of the team's final preseason game. With Bettis and Duce Staley (knee surgery) hurting, No. 3 running back Willie Parker will make his first career start.

VIKINGS: Koren Robinson agreed to terms on a two-year contract.

[Last modified September 7, 2005, 01:02:19]