Tragic Loss: Former Tennessee Titans Player Frank Wycheck, Key Figure in Iconic “Music City Miracle” Play, Dies at 52

Former Tennessee Titans player Frank Wycheck, a three-time Pro Bowl tight end and key figure in the iconic “Music City Miracle” play, has died at the age of 52.

Wycheck’s family released a statement Sunday through the Legacy consulting firm, saying he was found unresponsive at his Chattanooga, TN home on Saturday afternoon. The statement said that Wycheck had apparently fallen and hit his head earlier that morning.

Wycheck was a popular figure in the Titans’ history, having played for the team from 1995 to 2003. He was best known for his role in the “Music City Miracle” play, in which he threw a lateral pass on a kickoff return with 16 seconds left in the game, launching the Titans’ run to the franchise’s lone Super Bowl appearance.

The statement from Wycheck’s family said they will be following his wishes to work with experts for CTE research and on-going brain injury (TBI). They asked for privacy and requested that the public respect their wishes.

Wycheck’s death has been met with an outpouring of grief and condolences from the Titans organization and the NFL community. Titans controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk said in a statement that Wycheck was “a beloved member of the Titans family and one of the most popular players to ever wear our uniform.” She added that his contributions to the team and the city of Nashville will never be forgotten.