Ex-Titan Rob Bironas was intoxicated

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Friday, November 7, 2014

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Former Titans kicker Rob Bironas was intoxicated and speeding when his SUV went off the road and crashed into a row of trees, according to the final police report.

The report issued Friday says data analysis shows Bironas was driving at 73 mph going into a curve when he lost control and crashed Sept. 20. Paramedics found Bironas dead at the scene.

"The cause of the crash was Driver l's failure to maintain the proper lane and exceeding the posted speed limit," according to the report. "This case is now closed."

Bironas, whose seat belt was buckled, died from blunt force injuries according to the final autopsy report. The toxicology report showed his blood alcohol level was at 0.218 percent, well above Tennessee's legal limit of 0.08 percent. The toxicology report also found a low level of Diazepam or Valium, but at a level so low to have a "negligible effect."

The Titans released Bironas in March. He played nine seasons with the franchise and had worked out for Detroit the week of his death. Bironas was the fourth-most accurate kicker in NFL history, connecting on 85.7 percent of his kicks (239-of-279). He finished as the Titans' second-leading career scorer with 1,032 points, and he made a franchise-record 11 winning field goals during his career.

Police investigating the crash found video showing Bironas leaving his home around 10:40 p.m. that night before he apparently chased a truck. The report notes four Belmont University students called police claiming Bironas chased their pickup at speeds of up to 110 mph. Another witness, Cynthia Wilde, told police Bironas had tried to drive her vehicle off the road before her husband pulled over to let the SUV pass just before the crash at approximately 11 p.m.

Bironas' wife, Rachel, daughter of Hall of Fame quarterback Terry Bradshaw, called 911 when she couldn't locate her husband after they had been watching a movie at home.