Mother of Green Bay player dies in crash

GREEN BAY, Wis., Dec. 5 (UPI) -- The Green Bay Packers are in mourning this week upon learning of the death of Bola Tito Anjorin Gbaja-Biamila in a one-car accident Sunday night in Los Angeles.

Gbaja-Biamila's son, Kabeer, is a rising star on the Packers' defensive line. He has flown home to make arrangements for his mother's burial.

In a cruel and ironic twist of fate, Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila became a father for the first time Sunday morning, the same day his mother was killed.

The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reported that Green Bay quarterback Brett Favre made arrangements for Gbaja-Biamila, a native of Nigeria, to fly to Los Angeles on his private jet to be with his family, which includes his father and seven siblings.

Gbaja-Biamila's agent, Bruce Tollner, told the paper his client is holding up.

"Under the circumstances, he's hanging in there strong," Tollner said. "It's just difficult. He's with his family now."

Early Sunday morning, Eileen Gbaja-Biamila gave birth to a son at Aurora Baycare Medical Center in Green Bay. Her husband played with his teammates against the Chicago Bears that afternoon.

Kabeer was told of his mother's death after the game.

The paper also reported that Kabeer's wife and baby were unable to travel with him to Los Angeles, and Tollner said the Packers were assisting in caring for her while he was gone.

A police report indicated that the car of Bola Tito Anjorin Gbaja-Biamila spun out of control and struck a tree. The accident occurred while she was driving home, and happened a short distance from her house.

Packer players did not learn of her death until Monday after Green Bay's 30-20 victory.

"To go from that high, to that low, I can't even imagine that," said defensive end Vonnie Holliday. "When I walked into the training room on Monday, the first thing I was told about was Kabeer's mom, and my heart just dropped."

Various reports said Gbaja-Biamila was excused from practice Wednesday, but would be there Thursday. His playing status for the Minnesota game Sunday is not clear.