Alzado Has Brain Cancer, His Doctor and Lawyer Say

Former Raiders star Lyle Alzado is being treated for brain cancer and is so unsteady that he could not have attacked the process server who reported that he assaulted her this week, his lawyer and doctor said in prepared statements Friday.

Alzado, 42, has primary brain lymphoma and is being treated with oral cortisone preparations and daily radiation therapy, Dr. Robert Huizenga said.

“Mr. Alzado had progressive dizziness over several weeks culminating in a loss of right arm, right hand and right leg coordination, slurred speech and double vision,” Huizenga said. “He is . . . quite unsteady when he walks.”

Huizenga declined to comment on Alzado’s prognosis, other than to say that chemotherapy will follow radiation therapy.

Alzado’s condition was diagnosed three weeks ago, said his lawyer, Stephen Michael Lopez.

“Mr. Alzado was incapable of committing any of the alleged acts purported to have occurred,” the lawyer said.

Alzado, a defensive lineman in the National Football League for 16 years before retiring in 1986 and turning to acting and business, attempted a comeback last season with the Raiders but did not make the team.

He was sprayed with chemical Mace and arrested on suspicion of committing battery on a peace officer during the incident at his Marina del Rey apartment at 7 a.m. Tuesday.

The process server, who was not injured, is 5-foot, 5-inch, 110-pound Los Angeles County Deputy Marshal Linda Armstrong. Alzado is 6 feet, 3 inches tall and weighs 265 pounds.

County Marshal Capt. Sandy Seidner said Friday night it is his understanding that Alzado objected to being disturbed so early in the morning and responded by pushing Armstrong toward the railing of a 10th-floor balcony. “I believe her fear was that she could have been pushed over that railing,” Seidner said.

Armstrong sprayed Alzado with the chemical irritant and called the Sheriff’s Department for help. Deputies arrested Alzado.