Brian Ottney
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Brian Ottney (July 4, 1980 – September 1, 2003) was a Michigan State Spartans football captain and a former All-American.
[edit] Biography
Ottney grew up in Troy, Michigan where he played football for Troy High School. He was featured on several All-America teams and was ranked among the nation's top 20 offensive lineman. He was ranked number 3 in the state by the Lansing State Journal and number 12 by the Detroit News.[1]
At Michigan State he started 33 games and was named captain, along with Jeff Smoker and Thomas Wright, in his final season. He recorded 156 career pancakes, including five double-figure games.
He left the team in 2003, with a final year left of eligibility due to a medical redshirt his freshman season. The reason he cited for leaving the team was wear and tear on his knees.[2]
Ottney graduated from Michigan State with a bachelor's degree in building construction management in 2003.
[edit] Death
On September 1, 2003 Ottney died in Long Beach, California, where he had moved to be in a construction job. His death was originally believed to have been caused by a seizure, but a report released by the Los Angeles County Department of Coroners ruled that he committed suicide after ingesting a combination of medication and alcohol. The report also noted that Ottney had a history of depression.[3]
He was engaged to marry a former Michigan State softball player later in the year.
