Terry Long, an offensive lineman for eight seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, was married to Lynne Medley, and they separated in January 2002.
Lynne filed for a divorce in March 2004, and the divorce petition stated that the marriage was beyond repair.
Terry Luther Long is in the spotlight due to the NYC gunman Shane Tamura, who mentioned him in his note.
Shane Tamura, the 27-year-old gunman responsible for a deadly shooting in a Midtown Manhattan skyscraper, left behind a disturbing note, which revealed his grievances with the NFL and its handling of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
The note found in his pocket was addressed to Terry Long, a former Pittsburgh Steelers player who died by suicide in 2005 after being diagnosed with CTE.
Tamura claimed that football had given him CTE, a degenerative brain disease linked to repeated head trauma, and that the NFL had knowingly concealed the risks to protect profits.
Terry Long, football gave me CTE and it caused me to drink a gallon of antifreeze. You can’t go against the NFL, they’ll squash you. Study my brain please I’m sorry.
Shane Tamurea’s Note
Furthermore, investigators believe he may have intended to target the NFL’s offices, which were located in the same building.
Instead, he opened fire on random victims, killing four and injuring several others, including an NFL employee.
Lynne Medley‑Long: The Private Wife Behind NFL Star Terry Long’s Turbulent Life
Lynne Medley-Long, the former wife of late Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Terry Long, was a private figure who briefly came into the public eye due to their marital struggles.
She was the daughter of Norman Medley Jr. and Mildred Anderson, born and raised in Clairton, Pennsylvania.
Terry Long's second death certificate was never publicly announced as cause changed https://t.co/pkTHAtJLnR pic.twitter.com/LlYhw0lrpU
— Mirror US Sports (@MirrorUSSports) July 29, 2025
Lynne filed for divorce in March 2004, citing a separation dating back to January 2002 and declaring the marriage beyond repair.
Court records show that Medley-Long initially sought alimony but withdrew the request months later.
Despite their separation, she was still listed as Long’s surviving spouse when he passed away in June 2005 at age 45.
While little is known about Lynne’s personal life, her brief legal proceedings with Terry Long offered a glimpse into the difficulties the couple faced.
Long had a tumultuous post-football life, including financial and health struggles.
Lynne’s decision to end the marriage reflected the challenges that followed the former NFL player after his retirement.
Nonetheless, she remains a footnote in Terry Long’s story, though their relationship ended before his death.
Terry Long’s Suicide Exposed Football’s Dark Secret and The CTE Crisis
On June 7, 2005, Terry Long died by suicide after consuming a lethal amount of antifreeze. His death was ruled a suicide, but an autopsy revealed a deeper, troubling reality.
He suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease caused by repeated head trauma during his football career.
NYC gunman Shane Tamura referenced ex-NFL player Terry Long — who had CTE — in note slamming league https://t.co/bfeMlkNw7h pic.twitter.com/3OzFvQ7vrg
— New York Post (@nypost) July 29, 2025
Long was one of the earliest NFL players diagnosed posthumously with CTE by renowned neuropathologist Dr. Bennet Omalu.
The disease, linked to memory loss, depression, and erratic behavior, has since been found in at least 345 former NFL players, highlighting the long-term dangers of football-related head injuries.
Long’s life was marked by turmoil and attempted suicide after testing positive for the NFL’s steroid test in 1991.
Years later, legal and personal struggles weighed heavily on him.
Just one week before his death, Long approached the church minister and asked if he could speak about his legal issues that were about to make headlines. Tragically, he took his own life.
Terry Long was buried at Swansea Methodist Church Cemetery, leaving behind unanswered questions about the toll of his football career.
His case became part of the growing awareness of CTE’s devastating effects, fueling debates over player safety and the NFL’s responsibility to its athletes.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Terry Luther Long, the son of Robert Luther Long and Levane Pickney, was born on July 21, 1959, in Columbia, South Carolina.
- After high school, he joined the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division and made more than 60 parachute jumps.
- The Pittsburgh Steelers selected him in the fourth round with the 111th overall pick in the 1984 NFL draft, and he played until 1991.
