PITTSBURGH, June 8 (UPI) -- Terry Long, who played on the offensive line of the Pittsburgh Steelers for eight seasons but had recently faced legal problems, has died. He was 45.
Long died Tuesday at a Pittsburgh hospital, the Steelers said in a release. No cause of death had been determined and an autopsy was ordered.
"Terry was a very good player and extremely hard worker throughout his playing career. He will be missed by his former teammates and co-workers who enjoyed his camaraderie as part of the Steelers family. Our prayers and deepest sympathies go out to Terry's family at this difficult time," said Pittsburgh President Art Rooney II.
The former East Carolina University star played right guard for the Steelers from 1984-91 but then tested positive for steroids in July 1991. He tried to kill himself with rat poison the day after he was told of the test result, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported. He rejoined the team for one season after completing a league-mandated suspension.
Long was involved with a controversial business in Pittsburgh that, after failing a Department of Agriculture inspection, was burned, the newspaper said. Long in March was charged with arson and defrauding the state of more than $1 million through business loan schemes, the Post-Gazette said.
