From Notre Dame to NFL

Rodney Culver made his mark as a reliable running back at Notre Dame, racking up almost 1,700 yards and 15 touchdowns before joining the NFL in 1992.

Drafted by the Colts

Selected in the fourth round by the Indianapolis Colts, Culver logged 471 rushing yards and ten touchdowns in his first two seasons, showing dependable versatility.

Heart and hustle

Although never a star, teammates praised Culver's professionalism. He had an exceptional work ethic and was a steadying presence in a high-pressure locker room.

Family man

Culver was known for his strong Christian faith and devotion to his wife Karen and their two young daughters. He prioritized family stability over stardom.

A fateful flight

On May 11, 1996, Culver and his wife boarded ValuJet Flight 592 to return from Miami to their Atlanta home. They never made it out of the Florida Everglades.

Disaster in the air

Just ten minutes after takeoff, the DC-9 aircraft crashed into the swamp due to a fire from improperly stored oxygen canisters, killing all 110 people on board.

NFL in mourning

NFL teams observed a moment of silence, and the Chargers honoured Culver with a helmet decal. The loss sent ripples of grief throughout the league.

Legal fight

Karen Culver's parents later sued the airline over the wrongful deaths of both Rodney and Karen. The surviving family reached a settlement of $28 million with ValuJet, following the tragedy.