Shane Dronett found dead at Home

    Once popular Denver Bronco Shane Dronett was found dead in his home today: Wed. Jan 21st, 2009. You may remember Shane Dronett who played DE for the Broncos from 1992-95, and the Atlanta Falcons from 1996-2002.

News from Atlanta: Shane Dronett was found dead in his home in Atlanta on Wednesday.  Dronett, 38, was a member of the 1998 Falcons Super Bowl team and was defensive tackle for the Falcons from 1996-2002. Police received a 911 call 7:30 a.m Wednesday morning about a possible suicide at Dronett’s home in Atlanta. "The investigation is still ongoing relating to the cause and manner of death," a spokesman said. An autopsy will be performed on Thursday, but the death was not considered suspicious at this stage.

Scott Gooch, a former Longhorn offensive guard who knew Dronett since the two played for Bridge City (Texas) High School, said they last saw each other in October at Gooch’s 40th birthday party. "He was a little slower than the Shane of old. The surgery had definitely slowed him down a bit," Gooch said. Dronett had a brain tumor that required surgery in the past year, according to former teammates and coaches from the University of Texas, where he was an All-American. "He’d had brain surgery. When he told us that, we didn’t even know," said a teammate from Texas. "He seemed fine. 

Dronett is survived by a wife and two children. Services are pending at Claybar Funeral Home in Texas.

                                                                                          Shane Dronett:  January 12, 1971 -  January 21, 2009

Shane Dronett was born in Orange Texas, and graduated from Bridge City High School, Bridge City, Texas  in 1989. He then attended the University of Texas (Austin) on a football scholarship. In 1991, he was named an All-American.

Dronett was drafted in the second round by Denver in 1992, where he played until 1995. He briefly played with Detroit before being picked up by the Atlanta Falcons and head coach Dan Reeves, who drafted Dronett when he was with the Broncos.

Shane Dronett's numbers with the Broncos 1992-1995:

61 games / 35 Starts / 21.5 Sacks / 2 Interceptions / 2 Fumble recoveries / 8 Forced fumbles / 138 Tackles + 9 Asst.

Rest in peace Shane, from your friends and fans everywhere, we will remember you!