Paul Mitchael "Mitch" Frerotte, a former football player at Kittanning High School who went on to play at Penn State and with the Buffalo Bills in the National Football League, died Wednesday. He was 43.

The cause of death was cardiomyopathy, a disease in which the heart muscle becomes inflamed.

"We're all shocked," said Harry Beckwith, the former football coach at Kittanning High School. "He was like a son to me."

Mr. Frerotte is the only player from Kittanning to play in the Big 33 All-Star Classic. Mr. Beckwith remembered Mr. Frerotte for his work ethic in addition to his considerable athletic talents.

"He was a very hard worker," Mr. Beckwith said. "I can remember in high school he would go down to the Y for basketball practice and after practice he would stay and lift weights to build himself up as much as possible. He was always a very strong worker and a leader."

After a standout career at Kittanning High, where he was first-team all-state and honorable mention All-American as a senior, Mr. Frerotte went to Penn State. He played offensive line for the Nittany Lions from 1983-86 and competed in several bowl games. He missed the 1986 national championship season because of an injury.

Mr. Frerotte left Penn State with one season of eligibility remaining and entered the NFL supplemental draft. The Bills drafted him, and he made the team during the '87 strike season. He was cut by the Bills in 1988 and was injured in '89, but he came back to play three more seasons as a reserve with the Bills from 1990-92, appearing in three consecutive Super Bowls.

Mr. Frerotte had a shining moment in his hometown against the Steelers. In a playoff game at Three Rivers Stadium, he caught a 1-yard touchdown pass from Frank Reich after lining up as an eligible receiver in a goal line formation. The touchdown gave the Bills a 7-3 lead just before halftime, and the Bills went on to win the game, 24-3.

Mr. Frerotte had four career receptions, and two others during the '92 season also went for touchdowns.

In Buffalo, Mr. Frerotte was known for his colorful personality. His long blond hair flowed from his helmet and he wore war paint on his face during games. He was known as "Pit Bull" among his teammates for his willingness to fight during practice.

In 1993, during a tryout with the Seattle Seahawks, Mr. Frerotte sustained a career-ending neck injury. He returned to Kittanning, became involved in coaching and spent time with nephews.

Mr. Beckwith kept in close contact with Mr. Frerotte until the past month or so, when he heard he hadn't been feeling well.

Mr. Frerotte is survived by his mother, Lilah of Kittanning; a sister, Lee Walker of Kittanning; and two brothers, Kurt of Kittanning and Ed of Middletown, N.Y. Snyder Crissman Funeral Home in Kittanning is handling the arrangements, which were incomplete as of last night.