Former Raider Wise Dead at 28

Former Raider defensive lineman Mike Wise was found dead in his home, the Yolo County, Calif., coroner’s office said Saturday.

KCRA television in Sacramento and the Sacramento Bee reported the death was from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The coroner would not give the cause of death, citing office policy.

Wise’s body was found about 4:30 p.m. Friday in his home near Davis, Calif., where he was an Associated Press Little All-American as a senior at UC Davis.

“I’m so shocked I’m almost speechless,” said Bob Foster, coach at UC Davis and Wise’s defensive coach during his four-year career there. “It’s almost impossible to believe he was hurting so much when he was liked by so many people.”

Wise, a fourth-round draft pick by the Raiders in 1986, had an injury-marred career with the Raiders that ended when he was waived in October of last season. He was picked up by the Cleveland Browns and played three games for them, starting two at defensive tackle before before suffering a knee injury and being put on injured reserve Nov. 11 for the rest of the season.

Wise, 28, was cut by the Browns in training camp on Aug. 4 and came home to Davis, where friends said he had become despondent over his career and financial concerns.