May 15, 2003

PITTSBURGH (AP) - A college football player who jumped out of a second-story window to escape his girlfriend's ex-boyfriend has died.

Rodney Abercrombie, 23, a senior defensive back at California University of Pennsylvania, died late Thursday night after sustaining serious head injuries, California coach John Luckhardt said Friday.

Police said Abercrombie was asleep with Melissa McCoy in her apartment when her former boyfriend, Durran Long, climbed onto an awning, broke a window and entered the apartment.

Police said Abercrombie and Long scuffled in a hallway and Abercrombie ran into a bedroom and shut the door. He jumped out the window to escape when Long forced the door open.

Long, 19, of Aliquippa, was arrested at a hospital where he was being treated for a cut on his arm. He was charged with aggravated assault, trespassing and other counts.

Abercrombie led Division II in return yardage last season.