Former Green Bay Packers backup quarterback Blair Kiel, who was something of a punch line around here, died over the weekend of what appears to be a heart attack. He was 50.
Kiel was at a relative’s house when 911 was called and he was rushed to Columbus (Ind.) Regional Hospital, Bartholomew (Ind.) County coroner Allen Smith told the Tribune. Doctors continued to perform “advanced life support protocols” but weren’t able to revive him, Smith said.
Kiel, whose nephew Gunner is now a highly regarded freshman quarterback with the Irish, was pronounced dead at 12:21 p.m., according to Smith. An autopsy was performed and determined that Kiel died of natural causes, though officials also are awaiting tissue and toxicology tests.
Smith said a report that Kiel died of a heart attack was “something we’re not sure of yet.”
Kiel played for the Packers from 1988 to 1991 and served as Don Majkowski‘s backup, along with Anthony Dilweg. Since Majkowski was an injury waiting to happen, Kiel actually saw some time on the field during those years.
In seven games, he threw for 865 yards, 5 touchdowns and 4 interceptions. He was out of football after the 1991 season, but that didn’t stop him from making the news.
In 2009, he was arrested for striking a police officer at an Indianapolis Indians baseball game. Kiel was drunk at the time and a woman he was with called the police to say she was afraid to leave the bathroom because of him.
Then, in 2010, Kiel got a DUI.
We’re kind of surprised liver failure wasn’t named as the cause of death.
6 Comments
Blair Kiel is better than Brett Favre ever was! I’m mobidly obese, illiterate, and live with my mom in Ashwaubenon, WI, but I know what I’m talking about!. I’m what we call a “true fan”.
I’ll never forget the “we want Kiel!” game at Milwaukee County Stadium.
We lost our backup Qb?
DD, what the hell is “mobidly” obese? Oh wait, you meant to say “morbidly” obese and illiterate. That sounds alot like Fridley Minnesota. I like how you throw stones in a glass house DD. Skoal that Queen fan.
Blair Kiel was 50??? Holy shit. I must be getting old.
The Majik man was an injury waiting to happen only because Lindy Infante was his coach. Infante’s “pass to daylight” offensive system was code for “get your QB killed.”
It worked like a charm when the Packers were way behind and the other team was sitting back. But defenses quickly figured out that all you had to do to beat it was… blitz.
Anthony Dilweg….wow, hadnt heard that name in a while. 22 yrs ago I had a serious one day man crush on that dude. lol! I was living in AZ then & the Pack played the Cards in AZ. Majik was Majik aka got hurt….and we were down two scores going into the 4th qtr. Dilweg came off the bench & rallied the Pack for a last second W…threw for 2 TDs & converted some HUGE 3rd & 4th downs with his legs on the winning drive. Threw the game winner to Ed West. Sterling was a God that day too and had like 10 catches. Thanks for the flashback Monty. Oh yeah, RIP BK. :-)