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Former Longhorn Dronett found dead
Shane Dronett, a star defensive end for the Longhorns from 1989-91, was found dead at his home in suburban Atlanta early today.
The Atlanta Journal Constitution says an autopsy is pending. According to the paper, police responded to a suicide, 9-1-1 call placed from Dronett’s home. A Gwinnett County police spokesman issued a statement saying that they are waiting for the medical examiner to determine the cause of death.
UT photo Dronett was a second-round draft pick of the Denver Broncos in 1992. He also played for Atlanta from 1997-2002 and was a member of the Falcons’ Super Bowl team in 1998.
He was born in Orange, Texas, and graduated from nearby Bridge City High School. Claybar Funeral Home in Orange is handling the funeral arrangements.
Former teammates said Dronett had suffered recent medical problems. He had a benign brain tumor removed just more than a year ago. However, he made two UT games last fall, traveling to El Paso to see UTEP, then to Dallas to watch Texas play Oklahoma. He also played golf at the annual lettermen’s reunion last spring.
“He loved football,” said former UT coach David McWilliams. “He was one of the few guys I ever knew who loved to practice during two a days.”
“Many football players have been described as gladiators, Shane Dronett was a gladiator,” said Peter Gardere, UT’s quarterback when Dronett played. “His intensity on the field was like no other. Every player had the utmost respect for him because of his ability on the field not to mention his presence off the field.
“Shane was tenacious player, a loving father, devoted husband and a teammate that any team would love to have on their side of the ball, and he will truly be missed.”
Dronett, 38, is survived by his wife, his college sweetheart, and two daughters.
He was a top recruit signed by then coach David McWilliams in 1989. He chose the Longhorns over Oklahoma, LSU, Miami and Nebraska.
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By Gwen Cash
January 25, 2009 10:33 PM | Link to this
My prayers go out to his family and his fellow teammates from UT and the NFL. What a great loss.
By Brian
January 22, 2009 8:01 AM | Link to this
My favorite memory of him was kicking two Razorbacks (one in the head)in our loss to them in 1991. It was his intensity surfacing and not dirty play.
By C White
January 22, 2009 1:49 AM | Link to this
Godspeed Shane! God Bless
By TexasLonghorn
January 22, 2009 12:31 AM | Link to this
May God Bless his soul. May God give his wife, daughters and rest of his family the courage and spiritual strength to withstand this loss. I hope the rest of TEXAS Longhorns and The University of TEXAS will honor his memory by taking care of his wife and duaghters in whatever capacity they need help. RIP Shane Dronett!
By Aggie Band 92
January 21, 2009 9:12 PM | Link to this
Dronett was intimidating as could be and definitely the core of the Texas Defense during his era. He was the one player that I hated to see in the game against my Texas Aggies. All these years later, I remembered his jersey number at Texas without even needing to see a picture. I think that's a pretty strong statement considering I'm not a Longhorn Fan.
By Tim
January 21, 2009 9:10 PM | Link to this
RIP Shane you were a great player at UT, you will be missed.
Hook-em
By BLM
January 21, 2009 8:48 PM | Link to this
This was a man. Fearless on the field, even scared alligators. HOOK-EM Shane. God Bless.
By KB
January 21, 2009 7:48 PM | Link to this
Rest in peace, I really enjoyed watching you play back in the day and am extremely sad about this. My prayers go out to your family. God Bless.
By Jeff
January 21, 2009 7:26 PM | Link to this
A true Longhorn and a fierce competitor. RIP Mr. Dronett
By BRUCE WARD
January 21, 2009 7:16 PM | Link to this
My last memory of Shane Dronett was in Little Rock when UT was playing it's last game with Arkansas as they were leaving the SWC to join the SEC. Shane was awesome in that game and I remember as he was leaving the field the longhorns having lost he had his helmet off and held his head high to the jeers of the Arkansas fans. I will never forget Shane and the all the pleasure I had watching him play. May he rest in peace and my perpetual light shine upon him.
By CJR
January 21, 2009 6:50 PM | Link to this
I went to school during Shane's tenure with the horns. He was the heart of that defense, and he made us proud to be Longhorns.
Thoughts and Prayers go out to his family.
Hook em'!!!
By John34
January 21, 2009 6:46 PM | Link to this
Damn!
By rush
January 21, 2009 6:39 PM | Link to this
rest in peace dude
By Bevo69
January 21, 2009 6:36 PM | Link to this
Obviously some great comments from horn fans but it is nice and respectful to get words from fans and players from other schools.I appreciate it and so does everyone else.A good idea would be to have a big #81 on all helmets in 2009,especially when the horns win it all!
By shanae nae
January 21, 2009 5:54 PM | Link to this
RIP fellow Horn....my Horns are up for u. :(
By jimmy53
January 21, 2009 5:54 PM | Link to this
So sad to hear the news about Shane Dronett. He was a true warrior and one of the leaders of the 1991 team that won the SWC and "shock the nation". A true Longhorn in every sense.My sympathies to his family and friends. R.I.P.
Shane
By Matt
January 21, 2009 5:34 PM | Link to this
Even us Ags respected his play on the field. I remember him working at a lot of football camps with kids. So sad
By AMLewis
January 21, 2009 5:34 PM | Link to this
Shane was a good friend in high school, we all hung around together. He was everything that has been said and more. He was fun and always looking for an adventure. THis year is our 20 year class reunion and we were looking forward to seeing him again. My thoughts and prayers are with all of his family. He was a fierce competitor and good at just about everything he did. I am glad I saw something about him being a golden glove, he was and left that for football which he was just as unbelievable. We will most certainly miss Shane.
By Bruce7
January 21, 2009 4:59 PM | Link to this
"Gator" was a true Horn. Fun to watch. My condolences to his family. Hook em in Heaven!
By Raider Power
January 21, 2009 4:24 PM | Link to this
Even as a Red Raider Fan, when you hear "Dronett", it's one of the names that immediately reminds you of Longhorn Football. Rest in Peace. Thoughts & prayers to his wife and daughters.
By K
January 21, 2009 4:16 PM | Link to this
RIP
ALL MY CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY...
GOD BLESS
HHOK EM
By whitney Milam
January 21, 2009 4:16 PM | Link to this
The Eyes of Texas are Upon You 'till Gabrial Blows His Horn.
By RIP
January 21, 2009 4:12 PM | Link to this
he was a friend of my familys. he lives a few houses down and his oldest daughter is about my age. may God be with his wonderful family during this hard time.. i had heard he had been sick with a brain injury (tumor i think) and that it was operated on last year, but i dont think he ever fully recovered from it. my dad was the closest to him out of us and he said that he saw him a few weeks ago and he just didnt look like himself at all. RIP Mr. Dronett
By danny
January 21, 2009 4:07 PM | Link to this
my thoughts and prayers are with the Dronett family and his friends.Shane was a true LONGHORN.HOOK`EM HORNS
By Dan
January 21, 2009 3:28 PM | Link to this
God bless the Dronett family! He was a joy to watch and I am sure he will be missed.
By John
January 21, 2009 2:36 PM | Link to this
May he rest in peace.
By Bevo Proud
January 21, 2009 2:31 PM | Link to this
Rest in peace Shane, to your family go my deepest sympathies. God Bless.
By Keith
January 21, 2009 2:20 PM | Link to this
He might have been young but his body was twice that age considering the abuse it was put through on a football field.
By JJ
January 21, 2009 1:58 PM | Link to this
boy, shane was a total badazz in hs and college. most folk probably don't know that he was also a golden gloves boxer in hs.. tough, tough kid. ask anybody who went to ut back then, they'll have many, many stories of shane.. prayers for his wife and kids.
By Julie
January 21, 2009 1:31 PM | Link to this
Wow, how sad. So young, and with a wife and children.
My sympathies to his family and friends. He will always hold a place in the hearts of the Longhorn faithful.
By RShaw
January 21, 2009 1:07 PM | Link to this
Sympathies to his family and former teammates at this very sad time of their lives. May he be remembered not only for the great football moments have gave the UT fans but also for everything good in his life which life certainly has ended with him too soon!