By: Jason Sha

Standing at 6-foot-6 and weighing around 300 pounds, Jim Tyrer was a superb offensive tackle during his career in the American Football League (AFL) from 1961 to 1973. Throughout his twelve years in the league, Tyrer helped the Dallas Texans and Kansas City Chiefs to three AFL titles and one Super Bowl at Super Bowl IV. Rick Gosselin, a veteran member of the NFL Hall of Fame committee, believed that Tyrer would have no problem joining the Hall as “the most qualified candidate in the senior pool.”

However, a horrific murder-suicide on September 15th, 1980, left Gosselin’s statements biting the dust, when the 41-year-old Tyrer shot his 40-year-old wife Martha before committing suicide with the same weapon. Tyrer’s children were left in a state of shock, with his youngest daughter Stefanie Tyrer saying that “this wasn’t the man that we knew … there’s still a bit of guilt. Why didn’t we pick up on something, or why didn’t we know more?”

Jim’s two sons, Brad and Jason also detailed similarly heartbreaking experiences. On the night before the incident, Brad was in his room working out when Jim came in and began his somber talk with his son. According to Brad, Jim somberly commented on Brad, saying “You’ve been a good son, and I’m proud of you. You need to take care of your brother and sisters.” Jason experienced a similar situation, with his father being “unusually affectionate”, showering him with hugs.

Although researchers and Tyrer’s family are still unsure what caused his actions on that night, autopsy results pointed to signs of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a result of the repeated head trauma caused by poor equipment and rough play on the football field. Jim had experienced head pain throughout his life, although the family brushed it off as a result of his helmet being too small to fit his large figure.

In present times, Tyrer has been honored in the NFL Hall of Fame for the Kansas City Chiefs. However, CTE is still a major issue for many football players in present times, even though advancements in football equipment and medicine have made the sport a bit safer. As for his family, they are doing well, with each of his children reaching success in their own lives – undefined by their past.