Terry Langston, an all-state linebacker for Gardendale in the 1980s, died Thursday of an aortic aneurism. He was 40 years old.

Langston was a first-team Class 5A all-state defender for the Rockets in 1986. He was recruited by Bill Curry to play at Alabama, but was injured before playing a game for the Tide. He eventually transferred to Livingston, now the University of West Alabama, where he played linebacker for three seasons and was named to the All-Gulf South Conference team in 1991.

Langston also played for the Charlotte Rage in the Arena Football League.

Langston was survived by his parents, Kenneth and Patricia Langston; his grandparents, O.H. and Helen Edwards; his fiancee, Alicia Hicks; two children, Savannah and Luke, and a sister, Karen (Todd) Griffis.

Langston was buried Sunday at Crestview Memorial Gardens in Adamsville.