TERESA M. WALKER
AP Pro Football Writer
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — So many family, friends and former teammates mourned Rob Bironas on Thursday that more than 30 people sat in an overflow area outside the funeral home with the service streamed on a video board.
“We’re called to have to grieve during this time without answers,” former Titans teammate Casey Cramer said. “That’s been really tough.”
Bironas, 36, died Saturday in single-vehicle crash. There are 911 calls describing him as the man trying to chase and run people off the road before his accident where police say he was speeding when he lost control in a curve, crashing into a line of trees near his home.
Bironas’ wife Rachel was comforted at the funeral by her father, Terry Bradshaw. Fox broadcaster and former NASCAR driver Darrell Waltrip attended to support his friend Bradshaw. Singer Michael W. Smith was also among the more than 400 people attending the service.
Joining Cramer among Bironas’ former Titans’ teammates were Craig Hentrich, Keith Bulluck, Marc Mariani, Chris Hope, Zach Piller and Leroy Harris. Several current Titans came by Wednesday’s visitation, but the funeral started soon after Tennessee wrapped up practice Thursday.
The funeral featured a display of Bironas’ jerseys from college and with the Titans along with a Tennessee helmet surrounded by flowers and photos of the former kicker.
Terry Bradshaw, who missed last week’s show to be with his daughter, will be back on Fox’s NFL pregame show Sunday, according to Dan Bell, a Fox Sports vice president.
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