Blair Kiel Dies, Former Notre Dame QB Mourned
Former Notre Dame and NFL quarterback Blair Kiel died at age 50 on Sunday.
The uncle of current Notre Dame quarterback Gunner Kiel died of natural causes at Columbus Regional Hospital, said Bartholomew County coroner Allen Smith of Indiana.
The former athlete visited the hospital after becoming ill at an Easter gathering at a relative's home, according to the Chicago Tribune and WISH-TV of Indianapolis.
Many reports indicate that the Kiel died of a heart attack, but Smith told the Tribune it was too soon to know for certain.
Officials are awaiting toxicology and tissue tests, reported ESPN.
The football star led Columbus East High School to a state title as a senior in 1979. Kiel then played for the Fighting Irish at Notre Dame from 1980-1983, completing 297 of 609 passes for 3,650 yards with 17 touchdowns and 32 interceptions. In 1981, he set the Notre Dame record for longest pass in history with a 96-yarder to Joe Howard during the game against Georgia Tech.
In 1984, Kiel was drafted by Tampa Bay in the 11th round. He also played for the Indianapolis Colts in 1986 and 1987, splitting his time between quarterbacking and punting.
Kiel was a backup quarterback for the Green Bay Packers in the early 1990s and spent seven seasons as a professional. He completed 80 of 135 passes for 865 years, five touchdowns, and four interceptions over eight career games for the Packers.
Ahead of his death Sunday, Kiel had several problems with the law. He was arrested in 2009 after being suspected of public intoxication and domestic battery at Victory Field in Indianpolis, and again in Aug. 2010 on suspicion of misdemeanor drunken driving.
The former quarterback is being mourned on Twitter Monday with fans posting their respects.
"RIP Blair Kiel," posted Sports Journalist.
"Our thoughts and prayers and w/the Kiel family during this difficult time," wrote TNN.
Bailey wrote, "Blair Kiel found dead… he was an IndianaHigh School/ND/Colts legend… wow."
"Saddened to hear of passing of Blair Kiel," wrote Jeff. "Was my first QB as a Notre Dame student, later got to know him as #Packers QB. Terrific guy."
Details of Kiel's funeral arrangements are pending, according to The Associated Press.
SEE VIDEO OF ONE OF BLAIR KIEL'S FIRST INTERVIEWS WITH NOTRE DAME
