Report: Former Falcons lineman dies

ATLANTA, Jan. 21 (UPI) -- Former Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Shane Dronett was found dead Wednesday at his home, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.

A cause of death was unknown.

Dronett, 38, lived in nearby Gwinnett County since he retired.

The newspaper reported an autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death and that Gwinnett County police responded to a 911 suicide call from his house.

The 6-foot-6 inch, 300-pound Dronett, a native of Bridge City, Texas, was a member of Atlanta's 1998 Super Bowl team and was a second-round pick by the Denver Broncos in the 1992 NFL draft following an all-American career at the University of Texas.

He played for the Falcons from 1996-2002 after four seasons with Denver, and recorded 44 career sacks.

"The entire Atlanta Falcons family is saddened by the news of Shane Dronett's passing," team owner Arthur Blank told the newspaper late Wednesday. "Our deepest condolences are with his family during this difficult time."