Heart disease caused former New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Norman Hand's death
 

Former New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Norman Hand died from hypertensive cardiovascular disease, according to Colleton County (S.C.) coroner Richard Harvey.

Hand, who died Friday at age 37, battled weight issues throughout his 10-year NFL career. Harvey said there is no way to tell for sure if Hand's weight led to his heart disease, but he said that Hand did have a history of high blood pressure, which led to the hypertension.

Hand played for the Saints from 2000-2002 and also spent time with the Dolphins, Chargers, Seahawks and Giants.

Re: Heart disease caused former New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Norman Hand's death
 

RIP Big Norm.

Re: Heart disease caused former New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Norman Hand's death
 

http://www.ballen-photos.com/photos/...rman-1-nos.jpg
R.I.P. Norman Hand

Re: Heart disease caused former New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Norman Hand's death
 

Something has to be done about the NFL releasing overweight players. This is something needs to be addressed by the NFL.(maybe there could be a clause in their contracts that includes bonuses for a healthy checkup after retirement)) I don't know what, but something needs to be done because Norman won't be the last retired NFL player to die from weight related issues.

Re: Heart disease caused former New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Norman Hand's death
 

We disagree here. I don't see how the NFL could or should be responsible for what a player does after he retires. Norman won't be the last NFL player to die from weight issues after retirement, and Russell won't be the last NFL player to lose his job BECAUSE of weight issues BEFORE retirement either.

Re: Heart disease caused former New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Norman Hand's death
 

Good point saintfan.....I reckon. :oops: Surely though, the NFL can put it's collective brain together and come up with a reasonable program for these "heart attacks waiting to happen". I know Normands death wasn't the NFLs fault, but I'm hoping to see some kind of program to help educate them at the very least about how to control their weight after retirement.
Here's another train of thought, they were probably going to be fat anyway so if they play football for the NFL then they're in better shape and should live longer. :cool:

Re: Heart disease caused former New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Norman Hand's death
 

God Bless Norman.

Re: Heart disease caused former New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Norman Hand's death
 

Hand and Glover were great together.

Re: Heart disease caused former New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Norman Hand's death
 

I think this should be a reminder to all of us to make sure to have your yearly physical in the hopes that a tragic event like this can be prevented. That said perhaps Norman had his physicals and the problem escalated and occurred nonetheless - we have no way of knowing.

I also don't think the NFL should be liable, unless they can prove it's related to a concussion or some other injury that occurred.

Re: Heart disease caused former New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Norman Hand's death
 

Why?