Andre Fluellen (Getty)Detroit Lions defensive lineman Andre Fluellen is mourning the loss of his father, Rev. Charles Fluellen, after he complained of chest pains and lost consciousness at the "Pastors vs. Politicians" game in Cartersville, Ga. He was pronounced dead later that day.
Fluellen remembered his father, who was just 57, on Twitter. "Please pray for my family... Lost a great man, but even greater father today. Thank God that through Jesus, we don't die, we just go home."
He also asked his followers to be good to their loved ones.
"Pls tell someone you love them... Somebody needs to hear it."
The younger Fluellen has been a versatile part of the Lions' pass rush for the past four seasons. Playing at both defensive tackle and end, he played in 13 games during the 2011 season.
Friends said that Charles often talked about his sons. He was a pastor as well as a director in the Bartow County Transit Department. A member of his church remembered Fluellen's happiness with his life.
"Recently, the question was asked to him probably in the last two weeks or week or so if he could be doing anything in life what would he be doing. And he said, exactly what he's doing."
Though the offseason is still young, it has been a tragic one for NFL players. Last week, Tommie Harris, a defensive tackle for the San Diego Chargers, lost his young wife.
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