Ex-Cougars Star Bender Dies Raiders’ Top Pick Found In Agent’S Bathroom; Cause Of Death Unknown

Leon Bender, a Washington State defensive tackle who signed with Oakland this month after being drafted by the Raiders in the second round, was found dead Saturday in the bathroom of his agent’s home in this suburb north of Atlanta.

The cause of death was not immediately known. Police do not suspect foul play, said Cobb County police spokesman Robert Quigley. Bender was 22.

“He was just found on the floor of the bathroom,” Quigley said. “I think there may have been a medical history there.”

Bender had epilepsy, a disorder of certain nerve cells in the brain, Washington State athletic spokeswoman Janay Leddy said from Pullman. It was not known whether that condition might have contributed to his death.

Bender’s agent, identified by Quigley as Terry Bolar, found the lineman’s body when he awoke at about noon, Quigley said.

The defensive tackle was staying with his agent in Marietta, police said. WSU officials said Bender was in Georgia preparing for the upcoming Raiders minicamp with his personal trainer.

The 6-foot-5, 300-pounder from Santee, Calif., signed with Oakland on May 12. He was the 31st player overall picked in the NFL draft.

He was survived by his wife, Liza; his 2-year-old daughter, Imani; parents Carl and Antionette; and sisters Carla, Noelle and Siomena.

“I think this is a shock and a great tragedy to all of us,” said WSU coach Mike Price. “Our hearts go out to his parents, wife and daughter.”

Bender was considered an NFL prospect almost as soon as he arrived at WSU in 1993, but some felt he lacked the self-discipline to survive in the classroom.

He became ineligible after the 1994 season and spent the next year at the Clarkston campus of Walla Walla Community College.

Bill Doba, WSU’s defensive coordinator, recognized Bender’s talent from the start. “I told him when he was a sophomore, if he could get his act together and get on the field that he could take care of himself and his family and his parents for life,” Doba said.

Friends said marriage and fatherhood helped Bender get his priorities straight, and he became eligible just in time for the ‘96 opener at Colorado. He was the fifth-leading tackler that season with 50 and had a team-high 13.5 tackles for losses. He was named to the Pac-10 honorable mention team.

Last season, he had 48 tackles, three sacks and broke up six passes and was an all-Pac-10 first-team selection. He started in all but one game in 1996 and 1997 with the Cougars.

With Bender, Washington State won the Pac-10 title and went to the Rose Bowl for the first time in 67 years.

Bender was chosen with the first pick of the second round, a choice awarded to the Raiders by the NFL when free-agent defensive tackle Chester McGlockton signed with Kansas City.

After being drafted, Bender told reporters, “The Raiders are one of the best franchises around in all of sports, so I couldn’t be happier.”

Bender was a favorite among sportswriters and was known for making candid - and often humorous - remarks about Cougars opponents.

“Leon was so full of life and happiness, and to be taken so suddenly is a tragic loss for all of us,” Washington State athletic director Rick Dickson said.

“We’re shocked and saddened by this news. At this time our thoughts are with his family and friends,” Raiders spokesman Mike Taylor said.

Quigley declined to comment when asked what Bender appeared to have been doing before he died. He was taken by ambulance to Kennestone Hospital, where attempts to revive him were unsuccessful.

The body has been turned over to the county medical examiner to determine the time and cause of death.

Detectives questioned Bender’s agent on what they had been doing Friday night, Quigley said, but “they just told me there was nothing in the background of last night’s activities that was suspicious.”

“I think they were going to get up and just go work out this afternoon,” he said.