AFL to help fund education of Lucas' daughter
WASHINGTON -- The Arena Football League players' union established a trust fund for Al Lucas, the Los Angeles Avengers lineman who died during a game last week.
Gene Upshaw, president of the NFL Players Association and the AFLPA announced the creation of the fund Thursday. It will help pay for the education and living expenses of his daughter, Mariah.
The fund will seek donations from AFL and NFL players -- Lucas spent parts of two seasons with the Carolina Panthers.
"The trust we have created will hopefully provide some support to Mariah in trying to cope with the terrible loss of her father," Upshaw said.
The NFLPA has created similar funds for NFL players who died while still active. They include Minnesota Vikings lineman Korey Stringer, San Diego Chargers running back Rodney Culver, Kansas City Chiefs running back Joe Delaney and Miami Dolphins linebacker Larry Gordon.
Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press
