Tyler Sash's Autopsy Reveals Cause of Death to Be Accidental Mixed Drug Toxicity

Former New York Giants safety Tyler Sash is revealed to have died at the age of 27 due to an accidental mixture of drugs.   

Marc Morehouse of the Cedar Rapids Gazette tweeted out the official press release with Sash's autopsy report:

According to Ryan J. Foley of the Associated Press, methadone and hydrocodone "are legal narcotics used to relieve severe pain, but are also highly addictive."

Studies for chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) have, unfortunately, become common practice among former football players after death. It's been a hot topic, as PBS' Frontline recently found 87 of 91 former NFL players tested positive for the degenerative disease. The release notes CTE studies for Sash are ongoing.

According to the Associated Press (h/t FoxSports.com), Sash died on September 8 in Oskaloosa, Iowa, after police officers were called "in response to an unresponsive male." The Giants issued a statement, included in the AP report, following confirmation of the 27-year-old's death.

"We were all deeply saddened today to hear of the passing of Tyler. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Tyler's family and friends and all the Hawkeyes he was so proud to represent," the Giants said.

Sash, who was a sixth-round draft pick out of Iowa in 2011, played 23 games over two seasons with the Giants, winning a Super Bowl with the team as a rookie. He recorded 25 total tackles and one forced fumble before his NFL career ended after 2012.