Former Titans TE Frank Wycheck of ‘Music City Miracle’ fame dies at age 52-ZoomTech News

Three-time Professional Bowler Frank Wycheck, who threw the lateral that began the “Music Metropolis Miracle” launching the Tennessee Titans’ run to the franchise’s lone Tremendous Bowl look, has died. He was 52.

Wycheck died at his Chattanooga dwelling after an obvious fall the place he hit his head Saturday morning, based on an announcement from his household launched by way of the Legacy consulting agency. His household stated Sunday “with nice unhappiness” that Wycheck was discovered Saturday afternoon.

His household will probably be following Wycheck’s needs to work with experts for CTE research and on-going brain injury (TBI). Funeral providers haven’t been scheduled but.

“The Wycheck household appreciates the love and assist they’ve obtained, however asks the general public to please respect their privateness throughout this tough time,” the household stated within the assertion.

Wycheck retired after his eleventh NFL season. He acquired two concussions within the span of a month in 2003, missed six video games, then completed the season with an AFC divisional loss in New England. He determined to retire regardless of nonetheless being below contract and wanting a Tremendous Bowl ring.

“The bodily stuff you possibly can’t conceal from,” Wycheck informed The Related Press in 2014. “You probably have lingering results and also you return right into a sport, from all my studying and learning on it … it might show to be deadly.”

The “Music Metropolis Miracle” got here with 16 seconds left in an AFC wild-card sport Jan. 8, 2000. That TD return ranked fourth among the many NFL’s biggest performs when the league celebrated its first 100 years in 2019.

Lorenzo Neal caught a kickoff and handed off to Wycheck, and he threw the ball throughout the sphere to Kevin Dyson, who sped 75 yards for the profitable landing within the last seconds of a surprising 22-16 comeback victory over the Buffalo Payments.

Buffalo followers nonetheless insist the throw was a ahead go. Wycheck informed The Related Press in 2019 he by no means had a doubt his go was a lateral.

“Simply flick it again,” Wycheck stated. “That’s simply the way in which I form of jumped and threw it. After which I fell backward, and that was just like the phantasm of it.”

Tennessee then received on the highway in Indianapolis and beat the Jaguars in Jacksonville within the AFC championship sport. The Titans got here up quick on the ultimate play in shedding Tremendous Bowl 34 to the then-St. Louis Rams in Atlanta.

Wycheck performed 11 NFL seasons, beginning in 1993 with Washington as a sixth-round select of Maryland. He was picked up off waivers by the then-Houston Oilers in 1995 and completed his profession with the franchise that relocated to Tennessee in 1997.

He completed his profession with 505 receptions, 5,126 yards and 28 touchdowns over 155 video games. At the moment, he trailed solely Shannon Sharpe (815), Ozzie Newsome (662) and Kellen Winslow (541) for many catches amongst tight ends.

Wycheck performed 137 video games for the Titans and set a staff file with at the very least one reception in 99 consecutive video games. He additionally led the franchise in receiving for 3 straight seasons between 1999 and 2001.

The lateral for the “Music Metropolis Miracle” wasn’t his solely throw. Wycheck was 5-of-6 for 148 yards and two TDs in his profession, posting an ideal passer score of 158.3.

Wycheck moved to Chattanooga this summer season to be nearer to his household. He leaves behind two grownup daughters and three grandchildren.

Reporting by The Related Press.