Rob Bironas' father: 'Rob knew better, he knew not to get in the car while drinking'
Larry Bironas was left with many questions Friday after the results of a toxicology report on his son, former Tennessee Titans kicker Rob Bironas, were released.
Tests showed the younger Bironas had a blood alcohol level of .218 percent - well over the legal limit - when he died in a single-vehicle crash. Larry Bironas had heard stories about his son's drinking and partying, but believed those days were behind him.
"It's a sad story: He drank too much and got in the car and it cost him his life," Larry Bironas told Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean. "I don't condone drinking, and Rob knew that. … Why it happened? Why had he been drinking so much that night? Why did he get behind the wheel? I don't know. We'll probably never know. At the same time I have to have faith and believe that someone has a better place for him.
"Rob's life served a purpose. He had a better 36 years than most people are going to see and he didn't take anybody with him, so I am thankful for that. The Lord took care of him as he saw to do it. But Rob knew better, he knew not to get in the car while drinking. It should have never happened."
The completed autopsy report concluded that Bironas died from blunt force trauma after losing control of his SUV, Wyatt reports. A low level of Dizepam (Valium) was also detected, but the medical examiner noted that the level was insignificant.
"I told you I could live with the news, even if it was bad," Larry Bironas said, referring to an earlier interview in which he stated that he did not expect alcohol to show up on the toxicology report. "Now if Rob had taken out a family, I would have had a tough time. But if God figures this is the way it has to be, it's the way it has to be.
"Now I'll probably kick him in his butt when I see him next," Bironas continued, fighting his emotions. "It's hard. ... From everyone I talked to, Rob was very particular about not getting behind a wheel in that condition. He had distanced himself from the party scene. He was at home on this night, so why was he drinking so much? Why did he choose to drive this time? I don't know. I can't get in his brain now."
Two people claim they were confronted by Rob Bironas on the road shortly before the crash. Connor Fraley, a 20-year-old student, told the Tennessean that Bironas tried to run the vehicle he was a passenger in off the road and threatened to kill them.
Metro police spokesman Don Aaron said the investigation into the crash is ongoing.
Bironas played for the Titans from 2005 to 2013, and ranks as the franchise's second all-time leader in scoring with 1,032 points. The Titans plan to honor him with a moment of silence during Sunday's game against the Cleveland Browns.