Background
Andolsek was born and raised in Thibodaux, Louisiana.
Andolsek was born and raised in Thibodaux, Louisiana.
He played college football at Louisiana State University for the Louisiana State University Tigers. He was a star offensive and defensive player at Thibodaux High School from 1981 to 1983. From high school, he went to Louisiana State University as an offensive linemen.
He played at Louisiana State University from 1984 to 1987.
Andolsek was named a Freshman All-American by Football News in 1984. Louisiana State University named Andolsek a team captain during the 1986 and 1987 seasons.
He was later named to the Athlon Sports All-Time Louisiana State University team Andolsek would be selected by the Detroit Lions in the fifth round of the 1988 NFL Draft.
He saw some action his rookie season, and would become a starter at left guard in his second season.
Foreign the next three years, Andolsek would remain a starter for the Lions, blocking for future Pro Football Hall of Fame running back Barry Sanders. In his final season, the Lions finished 12-4 and would make it all the way to the NFC Championship Game. However, the championship game was Andolsek"s last football game.
During the off-season, Andolsek was working in the yard of his Thibodaux home when a semi-trailer truck ran off the highway in front of his house and struck and killed him.
An investigation found the driver had taken his eyes off the road while using a towel to wipe his face. In 1989, Andolsek"s Louisiana State University offensive line teammate, Ralph Norwood, was killed in an automobile accident during his rookie season with the Atlanta Falcons.
During the 1991 season, Detroit Lions offensive line teammate Mike Utley was paralyzed during a football game. Two days after Andolsek"s death, Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jerome Brown was killed in an automobile accident.
And two years after Andolsek"s death, linebacker Toby Caston was also killed in an automobile accident.
Caston was Andolsek"s teammate at both Louisiana State University and with the Detroit Lions. Andolsek"s number has been retired by Thibodaux High School. In addition, Louisiana State University has named its outstanding senior in spring practice the Eric Andolsek Award, a recreational facility in Thibodaux bears his name, and the Detroit Lions have named its outstanding offensive lineman award after him.
His family has also created a charitable foundation in his honor.
He was also a member of the All-Securities and Exchange Commission team in 1986 and 1987, and was named a third-team All-American by Football News in 1986.