Capt. Paul Timmons said the eastbound vehicle hit a guardrail, overturned and Jimbo Elrod, who was not wearing a seat belt was ejected.
No other vehicles were involved, Timmons said.
Elrod was taken in the fifth round of the 1976 NFL Draft and played for the Kansas City Chiefs and the Houston Oilers during his professional career.
The Highway Patrol report said the Elrods were eastbound on the Turner Turnpike, departed the roadway to the right, tried to re-enter the roadway and struck the back side of a guardrail, causing the vehicle to roll over, ejecting Jimbo Elrod through the sun roof. The vehicle then vaulted end over end multiple times, coming to rest in a ravine.