Published: June 12, 2008 08:15 pm            

BILLS: Former offensive lineman Frerotte dead at 43

KITTANNING, Pa. — Mitch Frerotte, an offensive lineman who played in three Super Bowls for the Buffalo Bills, has died. He was 43.

His death was confirmed by the Snyder-Crissman Funeral Home in Frerotte’s hometown of Kittanning. He died of a heart attack, according to cousin Gus Frerotte, a Minnesota Vikings backup quarterback.

Mitch Frerotte played four years, including the Bills’ Super Bowl seasons of 1990-92, mostly as a reserve and on special teams.

“He was one of those players to have on your team that was fun to have on your team,” said Bills spokesman Scott Berchtold. “A great personality, and we’re very saddened to hear that news today.”

Frerotte played for Penn State from 1983-87 before going to Buffalo. He sustained a career-ending neck injury after joining the Seattle Seahawks for training camp in 1993.

The funeral will be Monday in Kittanning, Gus Frerotte told the Vikings.

Gus Frerotte played for Ford City High School, the next town along the Allegheny River from Kittanning, about 30 miles northeast of Pittsburgh.

Bills head trainer, Bud Carpenter, who has been with the team for 23 years, remembered Mitch Frerotte as a “free spirit.”

“He was always in (coach) Joe Paterno’s dog house, one of the few people probably ever kicked off the football team at Penn State back then,” Carpenter said. “He lived life to its fullest, had the long hair, rode motorcycles, he liked to march to his own drum.”

        

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