Ex-Bills lineman Frerotte dies at 43

The Associated Press

5:14 PM EDT, June 12, 2008

In this file photo, Buffalo Bills lineman Mitch Frerotte, left, and quarterback Jim Kelly clown around during practice before the Super Bowl in Tampa, Fla. Frerotte died unexpectedly at home in Kittanning, Pa., on June 11, 2008. He was 43. (AP photo / January 26, 1991)

KITTANNING, Pa. - Mitch Frerotte, an offensive lineman who played in three Super Bowls for the Buffalo Bills, has died. He was 43.

His death was confirmed by the Snyder-Crissman Funeral Home in Frerotte's hometown of Kittanning. He died of a heart attack, according to cousin Gus Frerotte, a Minnesota Vikings backup quarterback.

Mitch Frerotte played four years, including the Bills' Super Bowl seasons of 1990-92, mostly as a reserve and on special teams.

"He was one of those players to have on your team that was fun to have on your team," Bills spokesman Scott Berchtold said. "A great personality."

Frerotte played for Penn State from 1983-87 before going to Buffalo. He sustained a career-ending neck injury after joining the Seattle Seahawks for training camp in 1993.

The funeral will be Monday in Kittanning, Gus Frerotte told the Vikings.

Bills head trainer Bud Carpenter, who has been with the team for 23 years, remembered Mitch Frerotte as a "free spirit."

"He was always in (coach) Joe Paterno's dog house, one of the few people probably ever kicked off the football team at Penn State back then," Carpenter said. "He lived life to its fullest, had the long hair, rode motorcycles, he liked to march to his own drum."