AP Photo/Mark Humphrey
Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jesse Mahelona cools off between plays at football training camp in Clarksville, Tenn. on Sunday, July 30, 2006.
Jesse Mahelona
Former Tennessee Titans defensive tackle dies at 26
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - Jesse Mahelona, a former Tennessee Titans defensive tackle, has died. He was 26.
Agent Chad Speck said Mahelona died Friday night after being involved in a car accident about a mile from his home in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. Speck said Saturday he didn't know any more circumstances of the accident.
Mahelona was drafted in the fifth round of the 2006 NFL draft by the Titans, where he played in 10 games as a rookie. He also spent time with the Miami Dolphins before playing his last NFL game with the Atlanta Falcons in 2007.
In two seasons at the University of Tennessee, Mahelona had 77 tackles and seven sacks.
Mahelona's wife, Brandi, is pregnant with the couple's second child. Speck said there were plans for a fund to support Mahelona's family.
Titans linebacker Stephen Tulloch, who was drafted the same year as Mahelona mourned his former teammate's death on his Twitter account, saying he "lost a great friend."
April 7, 1983 - September 4, 2009
Jesse Mahelona
Memory Book
“First off let me say that I could write a book about Jesse because I could write all day about how special he was! Jesse you were my best friend...” Read More ยป
Posted by: Rob Rodich Atlanta, GA
