Jim Wyatt

jwyatt@tennessean.com

Former Titans kicker Rob Bironas was killed in an overnight car crash in Nashville.

He was 36.

According to Metro police, Bironas was involved in a single-vehicle crash in the 800 block of Battery Lane around 11 p.m. Saturday.

Bironas lost control of the SUV he was driving while traveling at a high rate of speed, and the vehicle went off the road and hit several trees before ending up in a drainage culvert, upside down.



Bironas was transported Vanderbilt University Medical Center and pronounced dead on arrival.

Metro Police spokesman Don Aaron said Bironas had turned on Battery Lane from Franklin Pike, and appeared to be headed home, not too far from where the crash occurred.

Aaron said there was no evidence of alcohol on the scene.



Bironas married Rachel Bradshaw, the daughter of Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Terry Bradshaw, in June. Aaron said a Metro police chaplain was with her shortly after the crash.

Bironas kicked for the Titans for nine seasons. They released him in March.

The team said in a statement early Sunday morning about Bironas' death.

"We are deeply saddened to hear the tragic news from last night about Rob Bironas. Rob made a significant impact as a player in his nine years with the team and more importantly touched many lives in the Nashville community off the field," the statement said. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, Rachel, and his family during this very difficult time."

He had 1,032 points in his nine-year career, just 28 points behind Al Del Greco, the top scorer in the history of the Houston Oilers / Tennessee Titans organization, and he made 85.7 percent of his field-goal attempts (239 of 279) to rank fourth in NFL history in accuracy.

Bironas made a franchise-record 11 game-winning field goals, including a 60-yarder against the Indianapolis Colts in 2006 that remains the longest field goal in Oilers or Titans history.

Bironas worked out for the Lions earlier this week, and worked out for the Buccaneers earlier this offseason.

The former Titans kicker was also known for his community outreach in the Nashville area. In 2008, he started the Rob Bironas Fund, which donated to organizations focused on supporting children.

A statement was posted on Bironas' social media accounts confirming his death hours after the wreck.

"We appreciate your respect for the family's privacy and your prayers at this time," it read.

Staff writer Brian Wilson contributed to this report.