CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Fred Lane was remembered Monday by his former NFL teammates and coaches for an unabashed running style on the football field and a penchant for locker-room pranks.
"He was a lot of fun," Carolina Panthers offensive line coach Tony Wise said at a church visitation for Lane, 24, who was shot to death last week. "He and I used to rib each other a lot in practice. He just had a great attitude."
Former Panthers head coach Dom Capers, linebackers coach Sam Mills, cornerback Doug Evans and several other members of the team were among about 500 mourners.
"This kid had a chance to do something special," offensive tackle Clarence Jones said outside the church. "I'm disappointed he won't ever get the chance."
Lane, the Panthers' career rushing leader who joined the Indianapolis Colts this offseason, was killed Thursday inside his home on the city's south side. Police said Lane's wife, Deidra, shot him, but no charges have been filed in the case.
He will be buried Tuesday in his hometown of Franklin, Tenn.
Capers spent a few moments at the open casket before talking to other mourners inside University Park Baptist Church. Visibly shaken, he declined to comment as he walked to his car.
Most of the mourners were fans, including one young man who entered the church wearing Lane's No. 32 Panthers jersey.
"Football fans just loved him," said Walter Truesdale, who called himself a friend of Lane.