11/05/24
November 20, 2006
Eagles DB Waters Dies, 44: Andre Waters, an NFL defensive back for 12 years who spent most of his career with the Philadelphia Eagles, was found dead today in Tampa of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The team's web site caught up with Waters in 2004. This death and those of Jerome Brown and Reggie White put a sad coda on the dominant Eagles defense of the late '80s.
I loved that defense. My profile's been updated.
posted by SummersEve at 04:45 PM on November 20, 2006
I'm shocked. I can't think of anyhing to say. "SummersEve's" profile update is enough.
posted by Fillyfan711 at 07:02 PM on November 20, 2006
Is it just me thinking this way - or do an inordinant amount of NFL players die ridiculously young? I remember Waters well. Totally fucked.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 07:10 PM on November 20, 2006
Is it just me thinking this way - or do an inordinant amount of NFL players die ridiculously young? That was my first thought when I heard this, but I really never expected it to be suicide. Condolences, indeed.
posted by Ufez Jones at 07:13 PM on November 20, 2006
Does anyone know if Waters had a history of mental illness? RIP
posted by Texan_lost_in_NY at 07:23 PM on November 20, 2006
He was one hell of a football player,and one of the most feared . Buddy Ryan loved Andre he was his type of player. God must have needed a good defensive back on his team. Play well Andre
posted by looie looie at 08:04 PM on November 20, 2006
I remember Waters very well. He was a hard nosed DB who wasn't afraid of anyone. When he hit an opposing player,they knew they'd been hit......and hard. I haven't personally heard much about him as of recent times. My condolences go out to his family and all Eagle fans out there.
posted by Ghastly1 at 08:58 PM on November 20, 2006
Sad day after a sad loss sunday afternoon. All I can say is damn.
posted by GoBirds at 09:13 PM on November 20, 2006
Sad... Peace, Brother Andre, peace...
posted by wolfdad at 11:09 PM on November 20, 2006
Weedy, I was thinking the same thing. And not only are they quite young, but there's also some strange behavior. Two Steelers come to mind, Terry Long was 45 when he drank antifreeze. Justin Strzelczyk died after crashing his truck in a high speed chase. Could be a causal relationship, but maybe concussions? Something else? I kind of cringe when I bring something like that up, but I can't help thinking it.
posted by SummersEve at 05:22 AM on November 21, 2006
SE - I can't help but think there is some causal relationship along these lines. You just don't seem to see the same deaths in other sports, and I don't think that's a function of media coverage. There seem to be very high instances of drug abuse, violent deaths, mental illness and health problems at staggeringly young ages (probably the biggest one) with football players. That said, the case of Waters probably doesn't fall into this same pattern as easily as others. His seems a bit more shocking in that he seemed to be doing okay post-football.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 09:45 AM on November 21, 2006
I can't remember where I read it, but I've seen in different articles where NFL players life expectancy is a full 5 years less than the average American male. I've read where they say the average NFL lineman experiences collisions every Sunday equal to 30 automobile accidents. I'm sure someone on here will be able to locate the source, but me, I'm too lazy today to dig.
posted by tommybiden at 02:10 PM on November 21, 2006
Dirty Waters was definitely the man. Before names like Dawkins, Reed, Lynch, there was Ronnie Lott and Andre Waters. He never really got the respect he deserved. He was known as a big hitter, but he did a lot more. In his first year (86') starting at SS with the Eagles, he led the team with 129 tackles and also led the team with 6 ints. He got 2 sacks that year as well. Keep in mind he led the team in tackles from the SS position, with people like Reggie White, Jerome Brown, Clyde Simmons, and Seth Joyner on the same field. In 87" he led the team in tackles again with 112 and grabbed 3 ints. averaging 21 yrds per return. In 88' he led the team in tackles again with 154 on 1 of the best defenses in the league. Here are some of the players he out hustled that year regarding tackling, R. White, J. Brown, S. Joyner, M. Pitts, C. Simmons, Wes Hopkins, and Eric Allen. He led the team in tackles for the last time in 91' with 156. He was one of the best at his position. He will be missed.
posted by Bishop at 02:14 PM on November 21, 2006
My condolences to his family.