Recalling Bierria, safety turned murder suspect
October, 20, 2009
Oct 20
6:41
PM ET
Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando
About 60 friends and family members shuttled to the Superdome to see native son Terreal Bierria make his first NFL start there for the Seahawks in the 2004 opener.
Bierria led the team in tackles that day with nine. He forced a fumble during the Seahawks' 21-7 victory.
Bierria had held off second-round choice Michael Boulware for the starting job that year, leading Mike Holmgren to praise him thusly:
"We drafted Boulware to be the strong safety and Terreal fought for his spot and had a great camp. I think that's a wonderful statement by a young player that he accepted the challenge and he didn't just say, 'There is a high draft pick and they've already made up their mind.' "
Those were my recollections upon hearing the news that authorities in Louisiana had charged Bierria with first-degree murder an alleged drug deal gone bad. I found the story and accompanying police photo chilling. What a sad story.
Earlier: Jemele Hill profile on Bierria.
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ABOUT THIS BLOG
Mike Sando
Sando joined ESPN.com in 2007 after nine seasons covering the Seattle Seahawks for the Tacoma (Wash.) News Tribune. He lives in the Seattle-Tacoma area with his wife and two sons.