Larry Bironas, father of former kicker Rob Bironas of the Tennessee Titans, said his son knew better that to get behind the wheel while intoxicated, as he did when he was killed in a single-car accident on Sept. 20 in Nashville, Tenn.

Bironas, who lost control of his car while driving at a high rate of speed, had a blood-alcohol content of .218, more than 2.5 times the legal limit, according to a report obtained by the Tennessean newspaper.

“He drank too much and got in the car and it cost him his life,” Larry Bironas, 68, said. “I don’t condone drinking, and Rob knew that. … Why it happened? Why had he been drinking so much that night? Why did he get behind the wheel? I don’t know. We’ll probably never know. At the same time I have to have faith and believe that someone has a better place for him.

“Rob’s life served a purpose. He had a better 36 years than most people are going to see and he didn’t take anybody with him, so I am thankful for that. The Lord took care of him as he saw to do it. But Rob knew better, he knew not to get in the car while drinking. It should have never happened.”

Bironas was released by the Titans in March.