That’s not Kiel, he wasn’t in “Gator.” That was the late William Engesser with the late Jerry Reed, who was just a smidge taller than Kiel at 7’3”.
Yea my mistake DJ. It's been a long time since I've seen the movie and not too many actors except Ted Cassidy, Engesser, and Kiel were that tall and big. I'd guess Kiel likely had a blood clot from the broken leg. Not that uncommon for larger persons who suffer leg injuries.
Cassidy from accounts I've read was a good man. Out of respect I try not to call John Kerry "Lurch" LOL. Burt Reynolds and Charles Bronson movies were ones I went to drive inns to see as a teen.