NFL | Damien Nash's death still a mystery

Damien Nash had just come home from a St. Louis charity basketball game he'd organized in his brother's honor when he collapsed in front of his wife and 7-month-old girl.

The Denver Broncos running back died Saturday, and the cause remained unclear yesterday.

After one son's death and a heart ailment that caused another son to require a transplant last year, his mother, Kim Nash, is taking her daughter to a cardiologist next week.

"My son is giving me the strength right now to talk," she told the Associated Press.

Damien Nash collapsed in his suburban St. Louis home after returning by limousine with his wife, Judy Nash, and their daughter from a game at his high school to benefit the Darris Nash Find a Heart Foundation. The organization raises money for heart transplant research.

The 24-year-old player was taken by ambulance to Christian Hospital Northeast, where he was pronounced dead.

The St. Louis County medical examiner's office said results of an autopsy scheduled yesterday may not be known for days.

Gregory Ewald, a cardiologist, treated 25-year-old Darris Nash and said he had a weakened heart muscle condition known as dilated cardiomyopathy.

The death comes less than two months after the still-unsolved slaying of Broncos teammate Darrent Williams.

A fifth-round draft choice by Tennessee in 2005, Nash played in three games for the Titans. In his two-year career, he had 24 carries for 98 yards and seven receptions for 55 yards.

Chiefs. Chiefs defensive end Jared Allen wants out of Kansas City.

He formally requested a trade after contract negotiations broke down over the weekend in Indianapolis, Allen's agent, Ken Harris, said.

Allen, whose contract expires this week, had 271/2 sacks in three years with the Chiefs.

Combine to stay in Indy. The NFL Scouting Combine isn't going anywhere soon.

Jeff Foster, president of National Football Scouting, which puts together the annual testing session, said yesterday the event would return to the RCA Dome next year, and organizers plan to open negotiations with Indianapolis to move into brand-new Lucas Oil Stadium in 2009.

Live arms. Two groups of quarterbacks were clocked by radar gun yesterday, and the fastest speed belonged to an unknown - Toby Korrodi from Central Missouri State - who threw the ball at 63 m.p.h.

The only other player to top 60 was John Beck of Brigham Young, who was clocked at 61.1.

Troy Smith, the Heisman Trophy winner from Ohio State, was third at 58.5.