Former NFL player Keith McCants has passed away at the age of 53 due to suspected overdose.
On Thursday, September 2, Keith McCants, former linebacker for several NFL teams including the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, was found dead at his home in St.Petersburg, Florida.
The news was confirmed by the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office. According to authorities, the athlete passed away after a suspected drug overdose, as stated by E! News.
“It appears it was a drug overdose, but we are awaiting confirmation from the Medical Examiner’s Office,” revealed sheriff’s spokesperson Amanda Sinni. “This is still an open investigation.”
Throughout the years, Keith had multiple arrests for possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia, as stated by the Associated Press.
The day Keith’s death was announced, longtime friend Robert Blackmon refreshed his memory of the athlete on social media. “10 years, 8 months, 23 days. That is how long I knew Keith McCants. In December of 2010, we set out to try to save his life. This morning, we lost that battle,” the statement started.
My statement on the passing of my brother, Keith McCants. I love you my friend. I hope you’ve finally found the peace we fought so hard to get you. pic.twitter.com/fuaNtjfQej — Robert Blackmon (@RobertGBlackmon) September 2, 2021
Keith recalled reading a story in the Tampa Bay Times about Keith’s arrest for drug possession, and he noted that it was one of many.
Robert’s statement included his view of Keith’s life and certain points of his life where he was changing as a person.
“Keith, I love you. I would say more than you know, but I think you did know, I would do anything for you, on earth or in death,” he concluded.
Who was Keith McCants?
Keith was born Alvin Keith McCants on April 19, 1968, in Mobile, Alabama, United States. The football player was a linebacker for six seasons in the NFL for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Houston Oilers, and the Arizona Cardinal.
After a standout tenure at the University of Alabama, Keith became the fourth overall pick in the 1990 NFL draft by the Bucs.
Keith played his last professional game in 1995.
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In 2019, Keith took a step towards his broadcasting career by co-hosting Heart It Now! alongside Barry Edwards every Friday on WWBA in Tampa Bay.
During this time, Keith interviewed guests like Robert Jones, Cornelius Bennett, George Teague, Stylez G. White, Kato Kaelin, Willie Anderson, and Ron Jeremy.
Keith also appeared in the 2012 episode of Broke, which is an ESPN 30 for 30 series of sports documentaries, which focused on former players dealing with financial trouble.
