Former Buc McHale found dead in Wesley Chapel

McHale, pictured in his Brandon barbecue restaurant in 2003. [Skip O'Rourke | Times]

WESLEY CHAPEL -- Former Tampa Bay Buccaneer guard Tom McHale was found dead this morning at a friend's apartment, according to the Pasco County Sheriff's Office. He was 45.

Foul play is not suspected in the death of the former offensive lineman, who played six season for the Bucs. He joined the team in 1987 in former coach Ray Perkins' first season and played for the Bucs until 1992. He also played two seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles and one with the Miami Dolphins.

Deputies say they received a call at 9:19 a.m. this morning from a friend of McHale's at Delano Apartments at 2431 Mirador Lane in Wesley Chapel. Residents said deputies blocked off the parking lot and searched McHale's green Lexus in the parking lot. His address is listed as 5310 Ambrose Court in Tampa.

The cause of death will have to be determined by the Pinellas-Pasco Medical Examiner's Office, according to the Sheriff's Office. But with toxicology tests that could take weeks.

-- Jamal Thalji, Times Staff Writer