Father of Tulane kicker killed in plane crash
The father of Tulane's All-American kicker Cairo Santos was killed in a plane crash on Sunday, The Baton Rouge Advocate reported Tuesday.
Santos was the 2012 winner of the Lou Groza Award, which goes to the nation's best kicker. He made his 25th consecutive field goal attempt - a 51-yarder - during last Thursday's 24-15 win over Louisiana Tech.
Santos returned to his native Brazil to mourn his father's death, and it's uncertain whether he'll be available for Saturday's game at Syracuse.
Tulane did not provide details on the fatal crash, but Tulane coach Curtis Johson told The Advocate that Santos' father was a stunt pilot and that an engine failure led to the crash.
"We just want him to heal," Johnson said, according to the report. "If he's at the game, he's at the game. If not, we understand. He lost his father, who was a great man."
If Santos is unavailable Saturday, the Tulane kicker will be Steven Broccoli, a sophomore who has never appeared in a college game.
