ex-Redskin Kevin Mitchell R.I.P.

[Southpaw]

Originally Posted by skinsfan69

C'mon dude. Do you have to bring up steriods? Steriods don't cause you to have a massive heart attack.

Here's an excert from the Drug Addiction and Advice Project;

Long term heavy steroid use may cause damage to the heart, liver and kidneys. Heart problems are due to the blocking of arteries by fatty deposits and increased blood pressure due to water and salt retention (both could lead to a heart attack).

As I said, I'm not trying to turn this into a steroid debate. I'm just pointing out that it looks a little fishy when a 36 year old athlete, who's heart was strong enough to survive 11 training camps suddenly dies of a heart attack. I'm sure others had the same thought.

And whether he used steroids or not doesn't make his death any less tragic. If anything, it's an indictment of professional sports and the strain it puts on these guys, especially someone in Mitchell's position, who had to consistently fight to stay on a roster.