Former NFL Player, University of Pittsburgh Star Found Dead

PITTSBURGH, PA - Former NFL player and University of Pittsburgh standout John “Buck” Buczkowski was found dead at his suburban Pittsburgh home on Wednesday.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that Buczkowski was unresponsive his residence on Northern Pike in Monroeville. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office told the newspaper that the death was an active investigation, which can occur even when someone dies of natural causes.

Buckzowski, 54, starred as a defensive lineman at Gateway High School and Pitt before becoming the Los Angeles Raiders’ first-round draft pick in 1986. He also played for the Phoenix Cardinals and Cleveland Browns before his career ended in 1990.

After his retirement, Buczkowski owned and operated the former Gold Rush restaurant in Monroeville. In 2007, he was sended to house arrest for being involved in a multimillion-dollar prostitution ring operating out of a Monroeville home.

A GoFundMe page established on Buczkowski’s behalf last year by his son stated that he suffered from leukemia, diabetes and dementia.

Photo via Shutterstock.

Subscribe to Pittsburgh Patch for more local news and real-time alerts.