Sept. 2 (UPI) -- Former NFL linebacker Keith McCants was found dead Thursday morning at his Florida home, investigators said. He was 53.
The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office said deputies were called to McCants' home in St. Petersburg about 5:10 a.m. EDT. They found the former football player dead inside the residence, where others -- who dialed 911 -- apparently lived.
Police said they are still investigating McCants' death. Over the past decade, the former Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker spoke openly about his addiction to drugs and painkillers.
The Buccaneers selected McCants in the first round (No. 4 overall) of the 1990 NFL Draft out of the University of Alabama. The Mobile, Ala., native earned All-America honors while playing for the Crimson Tide.
After spending his first three seasons with the Buccaneers (1990-92), McCants played two years for the then-Houston Oilers (1993-94). He was with the Arizona Cardinals for two seasons before his football career concluded in 1995.
McCants was arrested several times for possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia over the years.
In 88 career NFL games, he recorded 192 total tackles, 13.5 sacks, six fumble recoveries and one interception.
