AVENGERS PLAYER DIES FROM INJURY L.A. TEAM, CROWD MOURN LINEMAN.

Byline: Jill Painter Staff Writer

Al Lucas, a lineman for the Los Angeles Avengers in the Arena Football League, died Sunday from a presumed spinal cord injury suffered during a game at Staples Center, according to a team statement.

Lucas, 26, was injured during the New York Dragons' first kickoff, about 4 1/2 minutes into the game. Replays appeared to show that Lucas had lowered his head to take on a blocker and, as a result, his head hit the knee of a New York player. Another player appeared to fall over Lucas, a former NFL player, as he fell to the ground.

Lucas lay motionless while Avengers players gathered in a huddle. Lucas was taken off the field on a stretcher and was treated by doctors for about 30 minutes at the arena. He was then taken to California Hospital Medical Center, where attempts to revive him were unsuccessful, Dr. Luga Podesta, the Avengers team physician, said in a statement. Lucas was pronounced dead at 1:28 p.m.

``My heart and prayers go out to Al's family,'' Avengers coach Ed Hodgkiss said with tears in his eyes. ``We're devastated. Right now, I'm just praying for him and his family.''

Lucas is survived by his wife, De'Shonda; daughter Mariah; brother Leonard; and parents, David and Elaine. Lucas and his family are originally from Macon, Ga.

Hodgkiss notified the team of Lucas' death after the game, and while Avengers players weren't told until then, they were late getting back on the field at halftime. New York players were sent back to the locker room by officials, but the Avengers returned a couple of minutes later and the game resumed.

``There's nothing you can say about what happened,'' Avengers lineman Sean McNamara said through tears. ``It never entered our minds as a possibility. You think about his family and his daughter, and, hopefully, they'll be all right.''

Lucas played for the NFL's Carolina Panthers during the 2000 and 2001 seasons and had 49 1/2 tackles as a defensive lineman. He won an Arena League Football title with the Tampa Bay Storm in 2003 and was also on the all-rookie team that year. Lucas, who was listed at 6 feet 1 inches tall and 300 pounds in weight, led all Avengers linemen with 18 1/2 tackles last season.

AFL Commissioner David Baker, who attends most Avengers games, was at Staples Center when Lucas was fatally injured.

``On behalf of the AFL, all the players, coaches, officials and staff, we are heartbroken today,'' Baker said. ``Al was a player of great passion, and our sympathy goes out to his family for what happened today. We're going to miss him.''

Avengers owner Casey Wasserman, who was also at the game, said in a statement: ``It is with great sadness that we confirm the passing of Al Lucas. At this time, the thoughts and prayers of the entire Avenger organization are with his wife and family.''

Several NFL players have died shortly after games, though no one has been declared dead on the field.

Detroit Lions receiver Chuck Hughes died of a heart attack suffered during a game on Oct. 24, 1971. Hughes entered the game late in the fourth quarter and ran a deep route over the middle. As he headed back to the huddle, he collapsed. Team doctor Richard Thompson tried unsuccessfully to resuscitate Hughes on the field, and the game was finished in silence.

In 1963, Kansas City rookie running back Stone Johnson died 10 days after he broke his neck in an exhibition game against the Houston Oilers. In the game, played at Wichita, Kan., Johnson was hurt while blocking on a kickoff return.

In 1960, New York Titans tackle Howard Glenn injured his neck during a play in the first half and died soon afterward.

Washington Redskins tackle Dave Sparks and Chicago Cardinals tackle Stan Mauldin died of heart attacks after games. Sparks died in 1954 three hours after a game, while Mauldin collapsed in the locker room in 1948.

Two college football players have died from neck-related injuries in the past 15 years. Mississippi defensive back Chucky Mullins died from injuries sustained on Oct. 28, 1989. Mullins was paralyzed when he broke his neck tackling Vanderbilt tailback Brad Gaines and died 18 months later on May 6, 1991, in a Memphis, Tenn., hospital.

Washington defensive back Curtis Williams was injured exactly 11 years later attempting to tackle Stanford running back Kerry Carter. He was paralyzed from the neck down and died May 6, 2002.

The Avengers (6-4) beat the Dragons on Sunday 66-35 and moved into a tie with San Jose in the Western Division. But the game was clearly not the focus.

``Al was a great teammate,'' Avengers fullback Lonnie Ford said. ``When you've got a player lying down on the ground, the only thing that goes through your mind is that it could be any of us out there.''

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Jill Painter, [phone]

jill.painter(at)dailynews.com

UNUSUAL ATHLETE DEATHS

Sergei Chalibashvili - diver

--1983 - diving accident. Attempted a 3 1/2 reverse somersault in the tuck position during the World University Games. On the way down, he smashed his head on the board and was knocked unconscious. He died after being in a coma for a week.

Raymond Johnson Chapman - Cleveland Indians baseball player

--1920 - died one day after being struck in head by baseball pitch, becoming the only player ever killed as result of major league baseball game.

Knut Jensen - Olympic cyclist

--1960 - fractured skull during the 1960 Olympics in Rome. In the 93-degree heat, he collapsed from sunstroke and hit his head.

Francisco Lazaro - Olympic runner

--1912 - sunstroke and heart trouble. Collapsed toward the end of the 1912 Olympic marathon in Stockholm. Lazaro and Jensen were the only athletes to die as a result of Olympic competition.

Bill Masterton - hockey player for Minnesota North Stars 

--1968 - head injury. He fell over backward and hit his head on the ice after being checked during a game against the Oakland Seals. His is the only death in pro-hockey during the modern era.

Mike Venezia - jockey

--1988 - died in 5th-race fall at Belmont Park Racetrack, N.Y.

Football

--1905 - 18 men died from injuries sustained on the football field. President Theodore Roosevelt stepped in and instituted safety measures to make the game safer.

Source: www.corsinet.com

CAPTION(S):

3 photos, box

Photo:

(1 -- 2) Al Lucas, above, lineman for the Arena Football League's L.A. Avengers, lies motionless after a tackle Sunday in a game at Staples Center. Lucas was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Avengers coach Ed Hodgkiss and Lucas' teammates, left, gather in prayer for the lineman as paramedics treat him.

Edna T. Simpson/Daily News

(3 -- color) Al Lucas

Los Angeles Avengers lineman died Sunday after an injury suffered during a game at Staples Center.

Box:

UNUSUAL ATHLETE DEATHS (see text)

Source: www.corsinet.com